Artichoke is actually a type of plant that belongs to the wild plant group. Even so, the nutrition and benefits of artichokes are not inferior to other vegetables. In addition, although the shape looks complicated, this plant originating from the Mediterranean region is relatively easy to process into a favorite dish.

Most of the content of artichokes are carbohydrates consisting of fiber and starch. Consuming one artichoke already meets approximately 25% of the recommended daily intake of fiber.

Not only that, artichokes also contain several other important nutrients, such as:

Amazingly, artichokes are included in the vegetables with the highest antioxidants. Therefore, it is not surprising that artichokes provide various health benefits.

The following are some of the health benefits of artichokes that you need to know:

As described above, artichokes are very rich in fiber. These nutrients have an important role in keeping the digestive system healthy, preventing or relieving constipation, and also lowering the risk of colon cancer.

Not only that, artichokes also contain inulin, which is a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are an important component in our diet, because they provide nutrients for the good bacteria in the gut.

By maintaining a balance of good bacteria, the health of the digestive system and the body as a whole will also be maintained.

Apart from maintaining the balance of gut bacteria, artichokes can also nourish the intestines by relieving intestinal muscle cramps caused by inflammation. In addition, the antioxidants in artichokes can also reduce inflammation in the intestines.

These nutrients and benefits of artichokes are very useful for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who often experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation.

A study revealed that consuming artichoke leaf extract regularly can help maintain liver health, as well as improve liver function that is impaired due to fatty liver. Experts suspect that this can happen thanks to the role of antioxidants called cynarin and silymarin contained in artichokes.

In one study, artichoke leaf extract taken daily for 6 weeks was shown to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) levels while increasing good cholesterol (HDL) levels.

This can happen because artichokes contain the antioxidant luteolin which plays a role in preventing the formation of cholesterol, and stimulates the body to be more effective in processing cholesterol.

A study revealed that people with hypertension who consumed artichoke extract every day for 3 months could experience a decrease in diastolic and systolic blood pressure.

This is believed to occur thanks to the potassium content in artichokes which plays a significant role in controlling blood pressure.

In addition to the benefits described above, artichokes are also thought to be useful for improving bone health, helping lower blood sugar, and fighting cancer cell growth.

Some of the benefits still require further study. Even so, the content of nutrients, natural compounds, and antioxidants in artichokes is still special. So, there is no harm in including artichokes into your daily menu.

Getting the nutrients and benefits of artichokes is also very easy. You can steam, boil, bake or saute them. The edible parts of the artichoke are the flesh behind the leaves and the heart which is white with a purplish tip on the inside.

The nutrition and benefits of artichokes are very good for general health and are not to be missed. However, if you want to take artichokes as an alternative treatment for certain medical conditions, you should first consult with your doctor.