Do you know the amazing health benefits of artichokes?
You will be unaware of these surprising artichoke health benefits
Let us tell you incredible benefits of artichokes after that you will know why you should consume artichoke
Table of Contents
Different types of vegetables have been used for centuries for taste as well as health. Many of these vegetables are common, but few people know about them. One of these is ‘Artichoke’. Actually, it is not a vegetable but an immature flower bud, which is used as a vegetable. This vegetable is believed to help relieve symptoms of many diseases as well as maintain health. This is the reason that in this article we are going to give the necessary information about the artichoke. You will be able to know the advantages of artichoke here as well as the methods of its use.
Let us first know what the benefits of artichokes can be
Health Benefits of Artichokes –
9 Wonderful Benefits of Artichokes, You must to know
1. Relieve digestive problems –
Artichokes can be used to overcome digestive problems. In this regard, a research has also been published on the website of NCBI (National Center of Biotechnology Information). According to this research, the stimulant effect of bile (liver fluid) present in leaf extracts of artichokes may aid digestion. It can also be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as abdominal pain and dyspepsia.
Actually, irritable bowel syndrome i.e. intestinal problem is also one of the digestive problems. The fiber present in artichokes is believed to help relieve digestive problems. Artichokes can be consumed in the form of decoction or tea to relieve digestive problems.
2. Prevent cancer from growing –
According to studies conducted on artichokes, its extract can prevent the spread of cancer cells, having a negative effect on breast cancer cells. Actually, it contains a chemical compound called polyphenol, which can slow down the activity of cancer cells. Chemopreventive activity is also found in it due to the polyphenolic compound present in the artichoke. Chemopreventive properties can reduce the rate of spread of cancer as well as slow its chances of recurrence, ie, cancer once again.
3. Improves Liver Health –
Consuming artichoke can also be beneficial for the liver. Actually, its intake can improve liver enzymes. It contains flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acid, which exhibit hepatoprotective activity and hypolipidemic effect. Hepatoprotective properties protect the liver from damage and can also be beneficial in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-NASH. In fact, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a disease in which fat accumulates in the liver without alcohol consumption. According to a research published on NCBI website, artichokes are the most beneficial. It shows the effect on the liver itself. Extracts of roots and leaves of artichokes can be used to keep the liver healthy. It can also help the liver cells to regenerate.
4. Cardiovascular Health –
Artichoke is one of the oldest plants grown in the world. Extracts from various parts of its plant (leaves, fruits and roots) have been used medicinally from time to time. This is why heart benefits are also included in the benefits of artichokes. According to a study done in Italy, awareness of alternative use of artichoke is necessary for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Actually, it can help prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol. Flavonide present in it can reduce hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels) and antioxidant properties to protect from atherosclerosis (Arterial plaque). Both these problems are related to heart disease.
5. Diabetes –
Ethanol extracts of artichoke leaves have antihyperglycemic properties. This property can reduce the level of diabetes by reducing the level of glucose. On the NCBI website during a research, extracts of artichoke leaves (200 to 400 mg per kg weight) were given to mice for a set time, reducing their glucose level from 42.84 to 37.91 percent. The anti-diabetic effect present in it is believed to be due to a compound such as terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and cardiac glycosides. Also, the antioxidant properties present in it can also prevent the organ damage caused by diabetes.
6. Prevent lead poisoning –
Lead means an environmental pollutant that can adversely affect health. It can cause serious diseases related to liver, kidney and other organs. This is the reason why it is important to protect the body from lead poisoning. In such a case, artichokes can prove useful. Actually, due to the phenolics and flavonoid compound present in it, it has been considered helpful in removing the amount of lead present in blood and tissue. Indeed, lead toxicity increases oxidative stress. This stress affects the liver, kidney, brain and other organs. It is believed that antioxidant properties may be effective in reducing the side effects of lead. This property is also found in artichokes, so it can be considered a good way to prevent lead poisoning.
7. Cholesterol –
Consumption of artichokes can improve lipid profiles, thereby keeping cholesterol levels under control. It has been found to have the potential to improve triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. The constituents luteolin and chlorogenic acid are believed to play an important role in reducing cholesterol.
8. Blood Pressure –
According to a research paper on the NCBI website, when some patients with blood pressure were given artichoke juice, after consuming it for 12 weeks, there was a slight reduction in the high blood pressure of the patients. In such a situation, it can be believed that its intake can be beneficial for patients with high BP. On the other hand, there is a lot of potassium in the artichoke, which is considered beneficial for preventing BP and cardiovascular diseases.
9. Skin health and skin aging –
The polyphenols present in artichokes may be beneficial for the skin. It can help protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun as well as the side effects of free radicals. This is probably why it is used as an anti-aging element in cosmetics. It can help in removing the skin dryness as well as maintaining the elasticity of the skin.
One cause of skin aging is disturbances in collagen metabolism (a type of protein metabolism). In such a situation, collagen metabolism can be increased by prolonged use of artichokes. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties present in it may also help protect against skin edema (inflammation). It can also be included in the diet as well as applied on the skin as a paste.
Note: Some of the studies mentioned above have been done on animals, some on humans and some in labs.
After the benefits of artichokes, let’s take a look at the nutrients present in it.
Artichoke Nutritional Value –
The body gets the benefits of artichokes only due to the nutrients present in it. This is the reason that we are telling about the nutrients present in the artichoke below through the table.
Following the nutrient present in the artichoke, we are explaining below how the artichoke can be used.
How to Use Artichoke –
You already know the benefits of artichokes. Now it is also necessary to know about its use. Many people are not aware of the benefits of artichoke, because they are not aware of which part of it is eaten and which is not. In such a situation, we are telling you about the use and consumable part of the artichoke below.
Edible part:
- The middle part that remains after removing the artichoke leaves is most commonly used in food. This part of the artichoke is also called a heart.
- Apart from this, its leaves are also used. But instead of eating it whole, The leaves are plucked from the teeth and eating its soft part.
- Other leaves should be consumed only after the first few leaves of artichokes are removed.
Use of artichoke:
- Artichokes can be boiled and dipped in chutney or cheese and eaten.
- It is also included in the diet by grilling and roasting it.
- It can be used for stuffed bread or other stuffing recipes like potato stuffing.
- The most popular method of cooking artichokes is steaming.
- It can also be used to make smoothies.
- Decoction and tea can also be made from artichoke leaves.
- Its powder can be consumed directly or dissolved in water.
- Artichokes can also be taken as a pill.
How much to consume:
Although no specific amount of artichoke is used, but according to a report based on this, the amount of its intake can be estimated:
- For hypercholesterolemia and indigestion, one to two grams of water solution made from the powder of its dried leaves can be consumed.
- Adults can take 5 to 10 grams of its crude drugs.
- Up to 6 grams of its dried leaves can be used throughout the day for herbal tea.
These are all marvelous benefits of artichokes, By consuming artichoke you can make health good and avoid many diseases.
