Did you know that the Artichoke plant was used for food and medicine as early as 400 BC.
In fact, in 1850, a French physician successfully used an
extract derived from artichoke leaves to treat jaundice which was not improving
with the drugs used during those times! Hi viewers and welcome back to Bestie!
While artichokes may not be the easiest food to eat, the sheer volume of vitamins, minerals,
and phytochemicals found in this extraordinary vegetable make them well worth it. Apart from the
heart, its leaves are also loaded with nutrients that have many health benefits. And in today’s
video, we will tell you what they are. From improving skin health, better heart, lower blood
pressure, good hair to improved immunity and more, watch till the end to learn about all of them.
Good for your gut: Artichoke leaf extract is recommended in several parts of the world to
treat indigestion. The extract increases the flow of bile, which speeds food through the digestive
tract. This is also the reason the extract can ease the symptoms of fullness and bloating.
One study found that artichoke leaf extract
can help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
And given that it is a fibrous vegetable, it feeds the probiotic bacteria in the gut.
What are the foods that cause you indigestion every time you eat them?
Tell us quickly down below in the comments section!
Improves Skin Health: Artichokes are super rich in antioxidants. These improve skin health and
slows down aging. They’re also rich in vitamin C, which is one of the biggest contributors
to healthy collagen development. And they aid detoxification, which reflects on skin health.
This is because getting rid of toxins in the body is one way to improve the skin’s appearance.
The antioxidants also prevent oxidative stress, which affects skin health.
The leaf extract contains another important chemical called cynaropicrin,
which reduces the damage caused by UV rays and protects the skin.
Maintains blood pressure: Artichoke is rich in potassium which is essential
for the functioning of various organs. Potassium neutralizes excess sodium effects
which cause blood pressure. It opens blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily.
Artichokes prevent complications related to blood pressure in diabetic patients.
The risk of heart disease and heart attack can also be reduced by lowering blood pressure.
Artichoke leaf juice has also been found to have
antihypertensive effects – especially in those with mild hypertension.
Promotes Heart Health: Besides keeping your gut in check,
the soluble fiber in artichokes can also help your heart. It binds with the bad cholesterol,
and takes it out preventing your body from absorbing the bad stuff.
This also lowers your bad cholesterol, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
One study found that artichokes can not only lower bad cholesterol but also increase the levels of
good cholesterol. The veggie contains compounds that prevent the synthesis of cholesterol.
The fiber in them can also contribute to heart health. And as per one study, artichokes reduce
lipids and glycemic levels, which also improves heart health to a great extent.
Controls Blood Sugar Levels: Artichoke is loaded with fibers which can help normalize blood sugar
levels. It also helps avoid spikes and dips in insulin that can lead to serious problems
for diabetics. The fiber in artichoke allows glucose to be absorbed in the blood more slowly.
And because fiber is a substance that can be digested and does not require insulin,
it does not count toward the amount of glucose you consume.
Artichoke compounds also have anti-inflammatory effects. One study found that supplementation
with artichoke extract helped prevent metabolic disorders,
such as hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance and inflammation.
Improved Liver Health: Artichokes were used as liver tonics for centuries.
But, the exact mechanism of their impact was never fully
understood until modern science could properly research this versatile plant.
Two antioxidants found in them have been shown to improve the overall health of the liver. They
reduce the presence of toxins and eliminate them from the liver and the body. Some studies have
even shown these antioxidants to actively promote regrowth and repair of damaged liver cells.
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Good For Your Hair: Being a rich source of vitamins A, B, and C, as well as phosphorus
and calcium – artichokes revive dry and dull hair. They also give it a shiny and bouncy appearance.
Just boil green artichoke leaves for about half an hour.
Allow the solution to cool and then strain it. Massage into the scalp.
You can leave it overnight and wash it with warm water in the morning. This not only improves
the appearance of your hair but also treats other hair issues like dandruff and dry scalp.
Boosts Immunity: One reason is the vitamin C – artichokes are rich in this nutrient,
and that pretty much takes care of your immune system. And since artichoke is a good prebiotic,
it enhances gut flora, and this also improves immunity.
They are also a good source of iron, which contributes to a strong immune system.
And given that this veggie is rich in numerous other phytonutrients,
it boosts the body’s defenses against diseases. The high amount of protein in
artichokes also enhances immunity as protein is required for the regeneration of cells.
Strengthens Bones: The phytonutrients in artichokes are credited with various benefits, one
of them being increased bone strength. They are also rich in magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus
– minerals important for bone health and density. What we need to look at again is the phosphorus
in artichokes. This mineral works together with calcium to build bones.
They are also rich in a couple of antioxidants which are known to keep the bones strong.
Stronger bones can make your life easier and help you perform so many everyday tasks better.
Learn how you can get powerful bones by watching “11 Ways For You To Build Healthier” Bones.
Now back to Artichoke Health Benefits And How To Eat Them
Moving on let’s talk about how you should pick the best artichokes:
In the supermarket, artichokes are available fresh, canned, frozen, pickled, and marinated.
Try to buy them fresh whenever possible, as they tend to be the most nutritious
option. However, artichokes are typically only in season from March to May,
so it might be tricky to fresh ones during the off-season. When picking fresh ones,
look for heads with tightly packed leaves. Spaced leaves are a sign that the artichoke is not fresh.
The leaves should also be firm and green with tinges of purple. At home, store unwashed
artichokes for 3 to 4 days in your fridge's veggie drawer or up to 1 week in a sealed container.
You can also buy canned artichoke hearts, but be sure to check the sodium content.
They are typically canned in salt water to preserve their freshness.
If choosing the canned variety, look for a low-sodium option. You may also rinse
and drain the artichokes before eating them to remove some of the salt, she suggests.
Pickled and marinated artichokes are excellent for adding a tangy kick to your dishes. They're
often packaged in a brine of water, vinegar, and salt. So if you're on a low-sodium diet for, say,
high blood pressure, you may want to avoid these options — or marinate your own artichokes at home.
Now, let’s tell you how you can prep and eat artichokes in the best way possible:
To prepare fresh artichokes, wash them under cold water.
Then, open up the leaves to make sure they're free of dirt and debris. Remove the bottom leaves,
then cut off the stem and top quarter of the artichoke to remove the thorny parts.
You should also snip off the sharp tips of the outer leaves. You may use a pair of
kitchen shears. From there, you can steam, grill, roast, or bake the artichokes — or enjoy them raw.
To eat an artichoke, pull off the leaves one at a time. The leaf itself is not edible,
but the bottom of each one has a pulp-like tender part that can be eaten. For example,
you could dip it into your favorite sauce, then scrape the leaf between your teeth to
eat the pulpy portion. Discard the leaf. As you pick off the leaves, you'll eventually reach a
fuzzy center called the choke. This also isn't edible, so scoop it out and discard that too.
Finally, you'll reach the delicious edible artichoke heart in the center.
This part of the veggie can be eaten as is. There are other ways to cook it as well:
As a steamed dish: One of the easiest ways to cook artichokes is to steam them.
Fill a large pot with water, fresh garlic, and herbs such as oregano or thyme.
Place the artichokes in a steaming basket, then add it to the pot. Cover the pot and simmer for
20 to 30 minutes. The artichokes are ready when you can easily pull a leaf off the base.
As a marinated condiment: For a quick and tangy condiment,
you can make marinated artichoke hearts. Simply soak canned artichokes in lemon juice, olive oil,
and spices like oregano and chili flakes. Skip the salt if needed. Alternatively,
you can find marinated artichokes next to the canned vegetables in most supermarkets.
They're typically found in cans or jars.
As a roasted topping: For an easy option, you can roast canned artichokes with a medley of spices.
Drain and rinse them, then toss them with olive oil, garlic, lemon slices, and fresh rosemary.
Roast them at 400°F for 30 minutes, then add to dishes such as pesto linguine or avocado toast.
While artichoke is a great vegetable to boost your health, there are other
good ones as well which you should not ignore. Learn more about these by watching:
SUPER Vegetables You Should Eat That Pack Some Serious Power
Or
Healthiest Green Leafy Vegetables You Should Eat Every Day
So go ahead and watch one or both of these videos for maximum benefits.
Have you ever tried artichokes? How did you cook it? Let us know in the comments section below!