Artichokes may not be a food you eat everyday, but the associated health benefits might make you start incorporating them into your diet on a daily basis. The artichoke is a vegetable that we eat right before it blooms; it originated in the Mediterranean and has been used for a long time because of its medicinal properties. The artichoke heart is the most popular part of the vegetable. Artichokes can be steamed, made into a dip, put on top of a pizza, or paired with some pasta! Here are some of the many health benefits of eating artichokes.
Helps With Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Doctors generally prefer patients have low LDL and high HDL. This is because HDL cholesterol is known as the “good cholesterol.” LDL cholesterol, on the other hand, carries cholesterol from your liver to your cells; when there is too much cholesterol, fatty deposits appear on your arteries and make it hard for blood to pass. This is why cholesterol is associated with heart disease and an increase in blood pressure.
Artichoke leaf extract has been tested to show that when used regularly, it can actually bring down your “bad” cholesterol. This extract can be found in supplements. It has high concentrations of compounds found in the plant, so you have high or low cholesterol, trying artichoke leaf extract might help.
This Plant Helps High Blood Pressure!
Just like artichoke leaf extract helps cholesterol, it also helps high blood pressure. The juice in the leaves is a source of antioxidants that improves circulation in your arteries; this is why artichokes have the power to lower your blood pressure. Taking supplements with artichoke extract may not seem like much, but over time, this can reduce long-term circulatory damage, which can help lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
A Fiber-Filled Food
The artichoke is filled with fiber. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a medium sized artichoke has about 60 calories and about 10 grams of fiber. 10 grams of fiber is 41 percent of the recommended daily value! Artichokes have insoluble fiber, which is best-known for helping digestion.
If you just like artichoke hearts, don’t worry: they also have a lot of fiber! Artichoke hearts have about 7 grams of fiber in them, which is 29 percent of the recommended daily intake.
Beneficial to the Liver
Last on the list, artichokes are good for your liver! This organ plays a vital role in your body, which is why you should protect it as much as you can. The leaf extract of artichokes can help protect your liver from damage and boost the growth of new liver tissue. Artichokes help the liver remove toxins and can reduce inflammation.
Based on These Health Benefits, You Should Start Eating Artichokes!
The health benefits of artichokes are extraordinary! Just starting to take a supplement with artichoke leaf extract, or eating artichokes more, can improve your health in a variety of ways. Eating healthy and starting a healthy lifestyle can be a big jump, but starting off slowly can be the best way to build your healthy habits: maybe eating artichokes every week is the way to start your new, healthy lifestyle!
