5 Amazing Health Benefits of Artichokes
Artichokes offer benefits like lower blood sugar, improved digestion, and better heart and liver health.
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Health Benefits of Artichokes: Artichoke, a thistle native to the Mediterranean, has been a staple in traditional medicine for centuries. Its purported health benefits range from lower blood sugar levels and improved digestion to heart and liver health.
Artichoke extract, rich in plant compounds, is increasingly popular as a supplement. This extract is gaining popularity as a supplement. Whether enjoyed as a food or in supplement form, artichokes offer a range of nutritional benefits. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, all of which contribute to a healthy cardiovascular and immune system.
The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) plant has long been used for its medicinal properties. The leaves, stems, and roots are used to create extracts, which are then used in various treatments.
Artichoke is commonly consumed as a food and is known to contain compounds that can alleviate nausea, vomiting, spasms, and gas. These compounds are also proven to lower cholesterol and protect the liver.
While artichoke is traditionally used for indigestion and high cholesterol, there is limited scientific evidence to support its use for conditions such as high blood pressure, hepatitis C, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and many others.
5 Health Benefits of Artichokes
Following are some of the top health benefits of artichokes.
1. Regulate Blood Pressure: Studies have shown that artichokes may help those with hypertension, or high blood pressure. Researchers discovered that eating artichokes for 12 weeks dramatically lowered blood pressure in those with high blood pressure.
2. Promote Liver Health: The most prevalent chronic liver disease in the United States is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD can be avoided by maintaining an active lifestyle, controlling your weight, and eating healthily. Another factor might be artichoke leaf extract, which is a concentrated version of compounds found in artichokes and is usually sold as a powder or tablet.
3. Improve Digestive Health: An excellent source of fiber, artichokes can help maintain the health of your digestive system by relieving constipation and diarrhea, encouraging the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and lowering your chance of developing some types of colon cancer. The fiber inulin, which is found in artichokes, has prebiotic properties. A small study indicated that taking a supplement containing artichokes and ginger before meals enhanced the passage of food through the digestive tract, which may help alleviate indigestion.
4. Lower Cholesterol: Artichokes contain cyanarin, a phytochemical that can reduce cholesterol. Heart disease and coronary artery disease can be brought on by cholesterol, a waxy material that builds up in your arteries. In a six-week research, those who took artichoke leaf extract saw an 18% decrease in cholesterol levels when compared to those who received a placebo. If you don't constantly consume artichokes with cheese, butter, and other high-fat foods, they can be a fantastic complement to a heart-healthy diet.
5. Reduce Cancer Risk: Artichokes are rich in polyphenols, a kind of antioxidant substance. Your body uses these substances to combat inflammation, which can lead to cancer. Additionally, they inhibit the growth and multiplication of cancer cells. According to several studies, artichokes and their leaf extract may help prevent or treat leukemia, breast cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and prostate cancer.
(Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated by AI and published after the content was editorially modified and verified by a human based on their own judgement and expertise. The Quint does not publish AI-generated content without direct human involvement and oversight).