Artichokes have been a part of the culinary culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Greeks believed that it has its origin in Zeus who turned his beloved Cynara into an artichoke.
Artichokes belong to the thistle group of the sunflower family. The name artichoke has derived from two northern Italian words: “articiocco” and “articoclos' '. Articoclos is the derivative of a Ligurian word “cocali '' which means a pine cone. Artichokes are also known as French artichokes or green artichokes. Pliny the Elder considered artichokes as beneficial for medicinal uses. Here is all the information you need to know about artichokes.
Nutritional Profile
100 gm of raw and uncooked artichokes have:
The Many Benefits of Artichoke for Kids and Adults
Improves liver health: Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a very common liver disease affecting thousands of people. Studies have found that artichoke extract can improve the health of a non-alcoholic fatty liver. It can potentially protect the liver from any further damages and promote cell generation. Artichoke extract also promotes bile production in the liver. Bile helps the liver to detoxify itself.
Lowers high cholesterol level: High bad cholesterol or LDL level can invite heart disease and increases the chances of a heart attack. Artichokes have a compound called luteolin which prevents LDL build up in the human body. At the same time, it regulates cholesterol processing which ultimately lowers the level of bad cholesterol.
Regulates blood pressure: High blood pressure or hypertension is bad for your heart and overall health. Artichokes are a good source of potassium. Potassium is associated with easing the blood vessels. This can improve high blood pressure levels significantly.
Benefits of Consuming Artichokes during Pregnancy
Helps with digestive health: During your pregnancy, a good digestive system is what you should look for. Good digestion means a healthy you and a healthy baby. Artichokes are a rich source of dietary fiber, especially a fiber called inulin. Inulin acts as a prebiotic and promotes the growth of gut-friendly bacteria. With a healthy gut, you can get rid of indigestion and all other discomforts related to it.
Treats Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Irritable Bowel Syndrome can cause several discomforts like stomach pain, cramps, bloating, nausea and constipation. You want none of those during your pregnancy. Artichokes may ease the symptoms related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome as they have antispasmodic properties. It can also reduce inflammation effectively.
Fights allergies: Artichokes have quite a bit of folate. Folate is a vitamin of the B group and a very potent anti-inflammatory compound. Folate helps to reduce inflammation related to allergies and asthma. This can be very helpful for pregnant women. Folate is also beneficial for the development of the neural tube of your baby.
Tasty Ways to Include Artichokes in Your Diet
Artichokes are easy to cook and they can be eaten boiled, roasted, grilled or sautéed. Both the leaves and the heart of this vegetable can be consumed. Some of the tasty ways to include them in your diet are:
Fun Facts about Artichokes That You Didn’t Know About