How Artichokes Help Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

Nutrient Content

Vitamins

Excellent Source of: 

  • Vitamin C – 25%
  • Vitamin K – 24%
  • Folate – 22%

Also a Source of:

  • Niacin – 7%
  • Vitamin B6 – 7%
  • Thiamin – 6%
  • Riboflavin – 5%

Minerals

Good Source of: 

  • Magnesium – 19%
  • Manganese – 16%
  • Copper -15%
  • Potassium – 14%
  • Phosphorus – 12%

Also a Source of:

  • Iron – 9%
  • Calcium – 6%
  • Zinc – 4%

Other

Excellent Source of: 

  • Fiber – 28%

Also a Source of:

  • Antioxidants – Chlorogenic Acid
  • Omega 6 Fatty Acids

*All nutritional Info From (1)

How Artichokes Prevent Chronic Disease

Artichokes, like many vegetables, provide you with a number of health benefits that help prevent a number of chronic diseases.

How Artichokes Prevent Cancer

Vegetable consumption is strongly associated with a reduced incidence of cancer. (2)

  • Artichokes have been shown to have anti-proliferative properties against certain breast cancer cells. Artichokes are effective in inducing cell death in liver, prostate, and melanoma cancer cells. (3)
  • A common cause of cancer is oxidative stress. Compounds called free radicals cause damage to your cells and DNA that leads to mutations and, eventually, cancer growth. This threat is neutralized by substances found in foods called antioxidants. Artichokes contain vitamin C and flavones, both of which have strong antioxidant properties. (4)
  • Artichokes are an excellent source of fiber. Sufficient consumption of fiber helps reduce your risk of cancer. Research shows the importance of sourcing fruit and vegetable consumption from the whole fruit source, not just juices. (5)

How Artichokes Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

  • Artichokes are a good source of magnesium and potassium. Both of these nutrients help to regulate blood pressure. Potassium directly prevents increases in blood pressure due to sodium consumption. Also, magnesium supplementation has been shown to help reduce blood pressure. (6,7) High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
  •  Artichoke leaf extract has been studied for its effects on cardiovascular health. It has been found that artichoke supplementation leads to reduced LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels through the activity of luteolin and chlorogenic acid. (8) Reducing these different biomarkers of poor heart health helps to prevent cardiac events like heart attack and stroke.
  • The soluble fiber inulin found in artichoke hearts has been shown to have similar effects, as soluble fiber binds to LDL cholesterol in the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing into the bloodstream. (9)
  • More recent research has discovered that copper consumption is essential for preventing heart disease and stroke. Artichokes are a good source of copper. (10)

How Artichokes Prevent Diabetes

  • Artichokes have a very low glycemic index, as they are low in sugars and high in fibers. The Glycemic index refers to the effects a portion of food has on blood sugar levels. Foods with a lower number have a lower effect, meaning they do not cause large spikes in blood sugar. Furthermore, the consumption of high glycemic foods is linked to diabetes. (11)
  • Whole vegetable and fruit consumption has been shown to reduce your risk of diabetes, as you obtain their large sources of fiber–as opposed to drinking juice, which lacks this critical fiber. (12)
  • Being low in calories and high in fiber, artichokes are an excellent resource for weight loss. Obesity is one risk factor for diabetes that artichokes can help combat. (13)

Artichoke Promotes a Number of Health Benefits

Artichokes do more than just prevent disease. They help to promote a number of functions in your body.

How Artichokes Promote Digestion

Artichokes are an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which help add bulk to your stool and regulate bowel movements. The soluble fiber inulin is also a prebiotic, meaning it feeds the good bacteria in your gut, further promoting healthy digestion. (14)

How Artichokes Promote Healthy Aging

Polyphenols in artichokes improve skin cell integrity and functionality. The antioxidant chlorogenic acid, found in artichokes, helps protect our skin from stressors, such as UV damage and free radicals. Testing has shown that individuals using artichoke extract in a cream had a 19.74% and 11.45% increase in strength and elasticity, respectively. This indicates that the extract helped improve the function and structure of our skin more effectively than a solution lacking this component. (15)

How Artichokes Promote Immune Health

  • Artichokes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports a number of immune functions. (16
  • Artichokes’ ability to support gut health in turn impacts the function of the immune system. Recent studies show that maintaining a healthy gut microbiome leads to enhanced immune function. (17)
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