People love eating artichokes because of their delicious taste. However, not many people know that artichokes are packed with numerous amazing health benefits. Nutritionists recommend adding them to your diet for the various health benefits they offer. Though many people think artichokes are a vegetable, they are actually classified as a thistle in the sunflower family. Beyond eating artichokes directly, artichoke extract is becoming more popular for use as a supplement. And it’s not hard to see why! They are loaded with nutrients, low in carbs and saturated fat, but rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They may even have a positive effect on your cholesterol levels.

Health Benefits of Artichoke

1. Help Keep Cancer at Bay

Artichokes are packed with powerful antioxidants that can help the immune system fight against free radicals in your body. Polyphenols are antioxidants in artichokes. Polyphenols have the ability to inhibit, stop or reverse the cancer cells in patients. Rutin and quercetin found in artichokes also contain antioxidant properties that can lower the chance of developing cancer.

Artichokes have a significant level of vitamin C. Increasing your vitamin C intake can help to keep breast cancer at bay. Moreover, flavonoids share the same benefit with vitamin C.

2. Lower Blood Pressure

Another health benefit of artichokes is aiding in lowering blood pressure. Artichokes are rich in potassium that helps to regulate the effects of sodium in your body. The high level of sodium may result in increased blood pressure. Patients with high blood pressure or hypertension often have a potassium deficiency. Therefore, it is advisable for you to increase potassium intake through your diet. Patients with diabetes should consume artichoke on a regular basis to help prevent complications like high blood pressure.

3. Boost Cardiovascular Health

Artichoke boosts cardiovascular health by helping to increase good cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol. Cholesterol that builds up in the arteries may affect your cardiovascular system, increase blood pressure, block blood flow and lead to fatal heart diseases and stroke. To help reduce bad cholesterol in your body and protect your heart health, consider consuming artichokes regularly.

4. Helps Liver Function

Artichokes have been considered a natural liver tonics for ages. Studies show artichoke’s positive impact on the liver. Two antioxidants including silymarin and cynarine improve the liver’s health and keep it functioning well by eliminating toxins and waste products from the liver and the body. These antioxidants are beneficial in promoting cell regrowth and repairing damaged liver cells.

5. Prevent Birth Defects

Because of essential nutrients, artichokes can help lower the risk of birth defects. Folic acid in this plant can help to keep tube defects in newborns at bay. Folic acid is a B vitamin and should be included before and during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects in a baby’s brain or spine.

6. Maintain Bone Health

Artichoke is one of the healthiest superfoods in the world as is loaded with vital vitamins and essential minerals. The essential minerals such as phosphorous, manganese and magnesium can help increase bone density, promote overall bone health, and lower the chances of developing bone conditions like osteoporosis.

7. Facilitate the Body’s Metabolic Processes

Manganese and magnesium are essential nutrients for the metabolic processes of the body. Magnesium increases the metabolic rates of amino acids, cholesterol, and carbohydrates.

8. Keep Your Brain Healthy

Artichoke is beneficial for brain health. Eating artichokes on a regular basis can help to boost cognitive function by providing more oxygen to the brain. Phosphorous found abundant in artichokes can help prevent brain cell damage. Phosphorous deficiency may lead to a decline in cognitive function. If you want to help keep your brain healthy, consider eating artichokes.

9. Lose Weight

Artichoke is one of the great foods for weight loss. Artichokes are low in calories and fat. Therefore, you can eat this healthy food in ample proportions without worrying about weight gain. Moreover, the artichoke is a great source of fiber that can leave you feeling satisfied and can help prevent overeating. Besides eating artichokes, you should have a healthy diet and lifestyle if you want to lose weight safely and effectively.

10. Treat Diabetes

Artichoke is a great source of calcium, potassium, sulfur, and iron that are beneficial for the health. Artichokes are loaded with insulin; therefore, it’s a recommended food for diabetes. A fully ripe artichoke contains about 2% of insulin. Raw artichokes can be added to your favorite salads. Alternatively, you can cook artichokes with other vegetables.

11. Protect Digestive Health

Artichokes can protect your digestive health. This versatile food is a great source of cynarine, an antioxidant that boosts the creation of bile and the absorption of fats and vitamins. Artichoke is an ideal food for patients with dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome.

Artichokes are a valuable and healthy food that you can include in your diet to stay healthy. I hope this information about the health benefits of artichokes inspires you to make them part of your diet. Remember, a healthy, balanced diet is important if you want to keep numerous diseases at bay. Now is the time for you to make smart choices like artichoke!

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