Artichoke Benefits- The Secrets Of Medicinal Plants

Artichoke benefits: artichoke is one of the popular winter-season edible flower bud of the Mediterranean region known since ancient times for its medicinal and health benefiting qualities. Botanically, it belongs within the thistle family of Asteraceae, in the genus; Cynara. Scientific name: Cyanara scolymus.

Globe artichoke grows up to 1.5-2 m tall, with arching, deeply lobed, silvery-green leaves about 0.5 m long. Beautiful light pink flowers develop in a large head from the edible buds. The bud is composed of compactly arranged triangular scales in a whorl fashion around a central "choke."

Artichoke Healty Benefits

Clinical and experimental trials have shown that artichokes may be useful in treating chronic digestive complaints including irritable stomach, nervous gastropathy, flatulence, and irritable bowel. They are useful in treating specific liver/gallbladder conditions with elevated blood fat values by promoting bile flow in the body,artichoke benfits can increasing fat digestion and protecting the intestinal mucosa. Bile acids stimulate intestinal peristalsis resulting in better digestion. Bile moves toxins that are ingested through food, water and the air from the liver on to the intestine for further elimination, making it a powerful detox.

In the December 2003 issue of “Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics,” G. Holtmann et al. reported that artichoke leaf extract was able to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with indigestion or acid reflux. Germany’s Commission E authorized artichoke for the treatment of dyspeptic problems, such as discomfort in the stomach, bloating, lack of appetite, nausea and mild diarrhea or constipation, according to Langone Medical Center at New York University.

Artichoke is low in calories and fat; nonetheless, it is a rich source of dietary fiber. It provides 5.4 g per 100 g, about 14% of RDA fiber. Dietary-fiber helps control constipation conditions, decrease bad or "LDL" cholesterol levels by binding to it in the intestines and help prevent colon cancer risks by preventing toxic compounds in the food from absorption.

Benefits artichoke also.Normal chemical processes in the body result in waste products called free radicals that are capable of damaging healthy cells. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals so that damage is avoided or limited. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database reports that one medium artichoke delivers 15 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, based on a 2,000 calorie-a-day diet. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids from damage caused by free radicals.
The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, or ORAC, system, which rates foods according to their antioxidant capability, gives artichokes a score that is nine times higher than other sources of vitamin C such as orange juice and red peppers.

Cardiovascular Health

Artichoke nutrition - the high quantities of potassium in the vegetable help to maintain normal heart rhythm. Research studies have shown a strong link between high potassium diets and reduced risk of stroke. Potassium also tones down the effect of sodium on blood pressure. This helps to maintain healthy blood pressure, which promotes good health of the heart. Certain phytonutrients in the vegetable help to lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

Artichoke contains bitter principles, cynarin and sesquiterpene-lactones. Scientific studies show that these compounds inhibit cholesterol synthesis and increase its excretion in the bile and thus; have overall cholesterol reduction in the blood.