BENEFICIALThe ancients considered artichokes to have many benefits.
Artichokes, including leaves, were thought to be an aphrodisiac, a diuretic,
a breath freshener and even a deodorant. Deconcotions of artichoke leaves
have been used as blood cleansers, cholerics, to improve bile production
and secretion and to detoxify the liver and the skin. The
globe artichoke is a member of the Composite family, closely related to the thistle. The part we eat is from the immature flower bud.
Artichokes are nutrient
dense, so, for the 25 calories in a medium artichoke, you're getting
16 essential nutrients!
Artichokes provide the important minerals magnesium,
chromium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, iron and calcium. For example,
that 25 calorie artichoke provides 6% of the Recommended Daily Value
of phosphorus, 10% of magnesium, 8% of manganese, 10% of chromium, 5%
of potassium, 4% of iron and 2% of calcium and iron. Artichoke leaf
extracts have demonstrated great benefits on the gallbladder with the
ability to stimulate the secretion of bile in the liver, to detoxify
the liver which in turn helps to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
In addition other compounds in the leaves have been shown to possess
a hypoglycemic effect.In the 1970s, European scientists first documented
cynarin's ability to lower cholesterol in humans. Over the years, other
researchers have continued to document artichoke's or cynarin's effect
in this area. One of the more recent studies, published in 2000, was
a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that used an artichoke
leaf extract that was standardized to its cynarin content. For six weeks,
143 patients with high cholesterol were given the extract; at the end
of the test, results showed a decrease of 10%-15% in total cholesterol,
low density lipoprotein (LDL), and ratio of LDL to high-density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol. Scientists now report that the cholesterol-lowering
effect of artichoke can be attributed to chemicals other than just cynarin,
including several newly discovered ones. The liver detoxifying and protective properties of artichoke first came
to the attention of researchers in 1966 (in a study that supported its
effect on liver regeneration in rats). A 1987 study that focused on
the effects of rat liver cells subjected to harmful chemical agents
found both cynarin to have significant protective effects. Current
research is showing benefits to the liver from cynarin, a compound found
in the artichoke's leaves. Silymarin is another compound found in artichokes
that has powerful antioxidant properties and may help the liver regenerate
healthy tissue. The appearance of the artichoke flower is similar to
milk thistle flower. Both herbs contain high amounts of silymarin, a
potent liver healing herb. It may potentiate cholesterol lowering drugs. NOTE both artichoke and milk thistle have a thistle flower and both herbs are useful for cystic livers. A combination capsule of milk thistle, artichoke, and turmeric some have found helpful for liver cysts.
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Saturday, November 21, 2009 6:49 PM
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