The Proven Health Benefits of Artichoke

1. Artichokes are vegetables normally used as side dishes, especially in many different Mediterranean dishes. However, artichokes are not only delicious with a unique flavor, but there are also many different health benefits of eating artichokes.

1. Artichokes are getting more and more attention from various scientific researchers, mainly because of the high content of antioxidants in artichokes. When we talk about artichokes used for medicinal purposes, we are often talking about the leaves of the artichoke. When the leaves have dried they are often used to make a tea. Again, before using artichoke tea for health, it is important to consult a doctor first.

1. Artichoke extract is one of the few herbs that has passed clinical trials and experiments as well as showing positive results. Artichoke extract has been proven to help with many different health conditions, from diabetes to curing a hangover. One of the beneficial benefits for many people is the fact that artichoke extract can help with weight loss.

Some history about the artichoke

1. The artichoke is one of the oldest cultivated vegetables known. Artichokes are originally from Ethiopia, but today Italy is the largest producer of this vegetable in the world. However, the use of artichokes for good health is nothing new, since before Christ the Greeks and Romans used the artichoke to improve digestion.

1. At the time, artichokes were only available to wealthy people because they simply weren't available everywhere. Both the French and Spanish imported the artichoke to the United States. Large quantities of artichokes are grown in California today.

1. In the 1950s, the Mediterranean diet was studied to help explain why there were so few problems with cardiovascular disease in that region compared to other regions of the world. Today, a Mediterranean diet is recommended as a heart-healthy diet and is based on healthy vegetable oils, fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish. Artichokes are widely used in Greece and other regions around the Mediterranean.

1. If you're trying to replicate the Mediterranean diet in your own household, it's a good idea to use artichokes often.

1. When you choose canned marinated artichokes (often people go for easy) remember that they are canned in oil. Partly because of this, both the amounts of calories and the amount of fat will be much higher. Marinades can also contain added sugars. Marinated or not, the amount of sodium in canned artichokes means you should eat them in moderation.

1. Choose fresh or frozen cooked artichokes if you want to enjoy this vegetable and you will get all the nutritional benefits without unnecessary additives.

Health Benefits

1. Chances are that you have eaten artichokes before as marinated artichoke hearts, you regularly come across these at a party because they can be made into a tasty dip that tastes good with chips or maybe with other vegetables.

1. But how many people reading this have ever eaten a whole artichoke? Maybe steamed or stewed? The way you prepare the artichoke makes a big difference in the health benefits you get from it. A whole artichoke, prepared and cooked, is high in fiber, vitamins and minerals and is a nutrient-rich addition to any meal.

1. However, if you only eat the artichoke heart, you will miss many of the healthy substances found in the green leaves of artichokes. If you only choose canned and marinated artichoke hearts, you will be consuming unwanted calories and sodium since it contains many added ingredients.

1. Artichokes or artichoke extract have long been used as indigenous remedies for many different health conditions. Historically, artichokes have long been used as a diuretic, to increase bile production, as an appetite stimulant and even to freshen the breath.

1. Artichoke tea can lower the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood. Before the advent of cholesterol-lowering drugs, artichoke was used to lower cholesterol. Artichoke can lower levels of LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total serum cholesterol, all while increasing levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol.

1. Artichoke tea can provide relief from common digestive problems such as heartburn, nausea and vomiting. It can also normalize bowel function and greatly reduce problems with constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. The use of dried artichoke leaves seems to influence the production of bile, which could explain why these related conditions are lessened with the use of this tea.

1. The same way artichoke tea stimulates bile production also appears to affect the liver. Artichoke tea can help improve liver function and health, especially in people who have pre-existing problems with their liver. So artichoke tea may provide specific benefits for cirrhosis by improving liver function.

1. Artichoke tea can help diabetic patients stabilize their blood sugar in a more effective way. While artichokes could, of course, be used in addition to existing diabetes treatment, it is important that people with diabetes always check with their doctor before making any additions or changes to their treatment protocol.

1. Artichoke extract may act as a natural diuretic. The extract helps to expel water and sodium and has positive effects on your blood pressure. Also, natural diuretics can cause a person to lose as much as five to 10 pounds of water weight in just a week. This is also why it is important that people do not blindly take certain diet pills that base their entire sales pitch on the health benefits of artichokes. to believe.

1. Because people lose a lot of weight in the first week, they might think it works. However, some people lose water weight at the start of a diet, and that's on top of that when people just keep eating and stop taking a diuretic.

1. Studies show that diuretics and gout do not go well together: So be careful if you have gout!

Nutrients for canned artichokes

1. Native to the Mediterranean, artichokes are the immature flower buds of a herbaceous plant. The buds of the artichoke, which contain many spiny pointed bracts or leaf-like structures, can grow to about 7 to 10 centimeters in size. Fresh artichokes can be kept in the refrigerator for about two weeks, while the canned artichokes can be kept almost indefinitely. About half a cup of canned artichokes contains 35 calories.

1. Artichokes are a good source of dietary fiber, magnesium and chromium, a trace element. Artichokes are a good source of vitamin C, folic acid, biotin and manganese. In addition, artichokes also contain Niacin, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Vitamin A and Potassium.

1. Half a cup of canned artichokes contains 6 grams of carbohydrates, including 4 grams of fiber and 1 gram of sugar. Artichokes are a good choice if you're trying to eat more fiber. Fiber protects against cardiovascular disease and helps keep blood sugar stable throughout the day.

1. Fiber makes you feel full longer, and when you have that feeling (and therefore eat less) most people notice that they automatically lose more weight. Higher fiber intake is also linked to lower body weight.

1. One serving of canned artichokes contains 2 grams of protein. It naturally contains no cholesterol or fats, making artichokes a healthy source of protein. Of course, this does not apply if you opt for artichokes in oil, for example. Eating artichokes, along with other plant-based protein sources, can help reduce your daily saturated fat intake.

1. One serving of canned artichokes has 200 international units of vitamin A, 3.6 mg of vitamin C, 40 mg of calcium and 2.7 mg of iron. Artichokes are also a good source of potassium and magnesium. Canned artichokes contain about 420 milligrams of sodium, which is 18 percent of the daily value for people following a standard 2,000 calories-a-day diet.

Artichoke Supplements

1. You are increasingly seeing artichoke extract in various weight loss supplements that appear on the market. However, it is important to know what artichoke extract does and does not do. It ensures that bile production is accelerated. This makes it easy to lose water. So it is a natural laxative, as it were, which can help to remove unwanted waste products and toxins from the body. This allows for quite rapid (and temporary) weight loss.

1. However, it is not a good idea to rely solely on artichoke extract when you want to lose weight, the results are only temporary unless you make sure you get enough exercise and healthy eat.

1. Although artichoke extract normally has little to no side effects, people who suffer from serious health problems should contact their doctor before taking an artichoke supplement. In addition, you should drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated.