| Health Benefits
Protects and supports liver and bile
Traditionally used in European pharmaceutical remedies to
help the liver, gallbladder, and a digestion aid. Artichokes
contain a substance that helps our liver form bile. Bile
is required in the digestive process to break down cholesterol
from the fat we consume. If our liver does not produce enough
bile, cholesterol cannot be broken down properly and high
cholesterol problems can occur. Even people who eat a low
fat diet can have high cholesterol if they have liver problems.
Artichokes also relieve liver related gallbladder or abdominal
discomfort.
Helps to reduce fat and cholesterol
levels
Researchers in Germany showed that artichoke extract substantially
lowered volunteers’ blood fats and cholesterol. However,
whether eating the artichoke itself will bring about a similar
result, has still not been substantially proven.
Natural diuretic
Artichokes arealso a natural diuretic (promotes urination)
and can help in relieving fluid retention.
Diabetes help
Artichokes have also been recommended for diabetics because
theycontain inulin. Inulin belongs to a class of fiber known
as fructans. The main feature of inulin is that it is indigestible
by the human digestve system. (That means it passes through
our digestive system intact.) This resistance to digestion
may imit the rise in blood sugar levels after eating.
Nutrient value
One medium artichoke contains 20% of our daily vitamin
C requirement. Artichoke is also a good source
of folate,
iron,
niacin,
potassium,
magnesium
and zinc.
|
