benefits of artichoke

Benefits of Artichoke

11. IMmunity
Good for the Liver Thanks to cynarin and another antioxidant, silymarin, artichokes are very beneficial to the liver. Studies have found they may even regenerate liver tissue. Artichokes have long been used in folk and alternative medicine as a treatment for liver ailments and the scientific studies are now proving them to be correct.
12. Improve galbllader system
Artichokes help the digestive system. They are a natural diuretic, they aid digestion, improve gallbladder function and, as mentioned above, they are of great benefit to the liver. While artichokes may not be the easiest food to consume, the sheer volume of nutrients, minerals and phytochemicals found in this extraordinary vegetable make eating them well worth it. Most people s favourite part of the artichoke is the heart, but the leaves are actually the source of the vast majority of its health benefits. In clinical studies, artichoke leaf extract has been proven to have potent disease fighting and anti ageing properties.
13. Hangover Treatment
Thanks to their positive effects on the liver, many people swear by artichokes as a hangover treatment. Instead of the hair of the dog, try the leaves of an artichoke. Artichokes are probably best known for their cholesterol reducing and liver protecting properties. The French have known this for years and often take artichoke extract during periods of indulgence, such as at Christmas, as it helps digest fatty foods and ease indigestion. Far more palatable, I think, than glugging back a chalky liquid or sucking on a lozenge!
14. Cholesterol Reduction
Ingredients in artichoke leaves have been shown to reduce cholesterol by inhibiting HMG CoA reductase. They raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL). Artichokes are a Mediterranean delicacy which you ll also find in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese dishes. Again making the Mediterranean way of eating so healthy.
15. High in Fiber
One large artichoke contains a quarter of the recommended daily intake of fiber. A medium artichoke has more fiber than a cup of prunes. Artichokes are a Mediterranean delicacy which you ll also find in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese dishes. Again making the Mediterranean way of eating so healthy.
16. Liver Function and Fatty Foods
Bile produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder is what helps us digest fats and remove dangerous toxins. Cynarin in artichokes boosts bile production and is very beneficial to the health of your liver. Artichokes also contain the flavonoid silymarin, which protects the liver. Silymarin reduces the process of lipid peroxidation from occurring in the cell membranes of the tissues of the liver, making the artichoke the ideal vegetable to help your liver function better. Especially when you over indulge in fatty barbecues, Christmas feasts and birthday dinners.
17. How to prepare artichokes
Artichokes can look a bit intimidating but, have no fear, you can master it. Start by removing the tough leaves from close to the base and trim the stem to about 2cm long (or, on good sized ones, remove the stem completely, so the artichoke will sit flat on its base). Cook in plenty of lightly salted, boiling water or in a steamer, simmer for 15 30 minutes, depending on size and freshness. Just cut artichokes need less cooking to become tender. If you grow your own, cooking them within minutes of cutting reduces the cooking time dramatically to only seven or eight minutes for a small one. The best test to check that it is cooked is when a leaf from the middle pulls away easily and the heart is tender when pierced with a knife.
18. How to eat artichokes
In France, freshly steamed artichokes are typically served with a Hollandaise sauce or raspberry vinegar. After steaming, you can also slice them in half, brush with oil or melted butter and grill on a griddle pan or barbecue. Serve with a squeeze of lemon. Don t worry, the artichoke is one of the few foods that it is both proper and polite to eat with your fingers. Artichokes can be served hot or cold. To eat, just pull out the outer petals one at a time. Dip it in your favourite sauce and pull the leaves through your teeth, removing the soft pulpy portion. Discard the remaining tough portion of the leaf. Continue this until all the petals have been removed.
19. Quercetin
An anti carcinogen flavonoid that works as an antioxidant to protect against cancer and heart disease. We all know the dangers of high cholesterol and the increased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. Since the 1970s, scientists have been testing cynarin in artichokes and artichoke leaf extract for their ability to reduce cholesterol levels. Cynarin in artichokes has been conclusively proven to reduce bad cholesterol dramatically.
20. Rutin
A flavonoid which promotes cardiovascular health, helps prevent cell proliferation associated with cancer, and has anti inflammatory and anti allergenic properties. To further demonstrate the artichoke s heart healthy powers, scientists set up a randomised, placebo controlled study to examine the effect of artichoke leaf extract in patients with high cholesterol. All participants showed positive results.