Artichoke Benefits
Research Findings, Health Benefits and Side Effects
Zhion@zhion.com
About Artichoke [A]

The artichoke was first developed in Sicily and was known to both the Greek and the Romans. In 77 AD the
Roman naturalist Pliny called the choke one of earth's monstrosities, but many continued to eat them. Historical
accounts show that wealthy Romans enjoyed artichokes prepared in honey and vinegar, seasoned with cumin,
so that this treat would be available year round.

It was not until the early twentieth cntury that artichokes were grown in the United States. All artichokes
commercially grown in the United States are grown in California and Castroville, California, claims to be the
"Artichoke Capital of the World." California even has an Artichoke Queen-the most famous queen was Marilyn
Monroe in 1947. She inspired more people to eat artichokes in that year reign than any year before or after.

Artichokes are actually a flower bud-if allowed to flower, blossoms measure up to seven inches in diameter and
are a violet-blue color. Artichokes are a close relative to the thistle.

High quality artichokes are usually compact and heavy for their size. Squeezed, a fresh artichoke will make a
squeak. The thickness of each stalk should correspond to the size of the artichoke. Thin stalks signal
dehydration, so look for stalks that are firm without 'give".

storage Artichokes remain fairly constant in appearance for weeks, but flavor is adversely affected from the
moment they are cut from the stalk. For maximum taste and tenderness, cook as soon as possible. Do not
stock up on artichokes. Refrigerate unwashed, in a plastic bag, for up to 1 week.

Preparation Artichokes should be washed under cold running water. Pull off the lower petals and cut the
stems to one inch or less. Cut the top quarter of each artichoke and snip off the sharp tips. Artichokes turn
brown very quickly once they are cut. To preserve the green color, one may dip in lemon water.

Artichokes can be boiled, steamed, mocrowaved or sauteed. They can be eaten whole or added to other
dishes. Micowave: cook 6-8 minutes or until a petal near the center pulls out easily. Boiling: Stand artichokes in
a large pan with 3 quarts boiling water. Cover and boil gently 20-40 minutes according to size, or until the
petal near the center pulls out easily.

Small artichokes are good for pickling, stews, casseroles; medium size are good for salads and large size are
good for stuffing.

What does artichoke contain?
One serving size of artichoke is 56 g edible portion. One serving of artichoke contains 25 calories, 0 g of fat, 0
mg of cholesterol, 70 mg of sodium, 3 g of dietary fiber, 16 g of sugars, and 2 g of protein. It is also a source of
calcium, iron and vitamins A, C. [A] Artichoke leaves was found to contain anti-hyperlipidemic sesquiterpenes
and  sesquiterpene glycosides..cynarin, 1,3 dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid, and scolymoside [1, 10].
These phenolic compounds are reported to have antimicrobial activties. [11]

Artichoke flowers contain a Milk-Clotting Aspartic Proteinase. A study of proteinase expression in crude extracts
from different organs of the globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) disclosed that enzymes with proteolytic and
milk-clotting activity are mainly located in mature flowers. Maximum proteolytic activity is at pH 5.0, and only
pepstatin presents a significant inhibitory effect. Such properties suggest that this crude protease extract is
potentially useful for cheese production. [8]

What are the benefits of artichoke?
Researcher also discovered its bile stimulating action and ability to reduce nausea, abdominal pain,
constipation and flatulence (related to non-specific digestive disorders) [2,3]. This finding led to the popular
use of its extract to treat mild indigestion in Europe.

Artichoke pomace is a promising source of phenolic compounds that might be recovered and used as natural
antioxidants or functional food ingredients. [14]

A study has shown the possible benefits of artichoke on high cholesterol and triglycerides [4]. Artichoke juice
has been shown to  improve endothelial function in hyperlipemia. [9] Its lipid lowering effects may be related to
the inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and/or its bile stimulating action (i.e. elimination of cholesterol) [5]. In a
vitro study, its flavonoids have been shown to prevent LDL-cholesterol oxidation [6]. However, a clinical study
has failed to find any related benefits [7].

Artichoke leaf extract has been to shown to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. [12] Gebhardt R.
found that the extracts of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaves might be able to prevent
taurolithocholate-induced hepatic bile canalicular distortions [18] In addition, a study has demonstrated that
an artichoke leaf extract induced Choleretic activity and biliary elimination of lipids and bile acids in rats [17]

Other research studies showed that it may have benefits possibly on functional dyspepsia [15], irritable bowel
syndrome, atherosclerosis  and endothelial dysfunction [13].

Artichole Side Effects
Ingestion of artichoke may cause acute enlargement (edema) of tongue. [16]

Reference
[A] 5 A Day: Vegetable of the Month: Artichoke Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Online Publication, January 2006.
1.Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York:
John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 42 2. Kirchoff R et al. Phytomedicine 1994;1:10715. 3. Fintelmann V. Zeitschrift fur Allgemeinmed
1996;72(Suppl 2):319 4. Englisch W, Beckers C, Unkauf M, et al. Arzneimittelforschung 2000;50:2605. 5. Gebhardt R.
Zeitschrift fur Allgemeinmed 1996;72:203. 6. Brown JE, Rice-Evans CA. Free Radical Research 1998;29:24755. 7. Heckers H
et al. Atherosclerosis 1977;26:24953.[8] Llorente BE, Brutti CB, J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 29;52(26):8182-9.][9]
Lupattelli G, Marchesi S, Lombardini R, Roscini AR, Trinca F, Gemelli F, Vaudo G, Mannarino E, Life Sci. 2004 Dec
31;76(7):775-82].[10] Shimoda et al, Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2003 Jan 20;13(2):223-8] [11] Zhu X, Zhang H, Lo R, J Agric
Food Chem. 2004 Dec 1;52(24):7272-8]12 Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and
improves quality of life in otherwise healthy volunteers suffering from concomitant dyspepsia: a subset analysis [Bundy R,
Walker AF, Middleton RW, Marakis G, Booth JC, J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Aug;10(4):667-9].[13] Grande S et al
suggested suggest that regular intake of bioactive compounds from Mediterranean wild plants contributes to maintenance of
proper vasomotion and to the low incidence of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction recorded in the Mediterranean area
[Grande S et al, J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Aug 11;52(16):5021-6].[14] Schutz K et al [J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Jun
30;52(13):4090-6]. Wang M et al also have a similar report [Wang M et al, J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Jan 29;51(3):601-8].
Zapolska-Downar D et al reported artichoke antioidative stress in 2002. [Zapolska-Downar D et al, Life Sci. 2002 Nov
1;71(24):2897-08].[15] Holtmann G et al suggested the application of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with
functional dyspepsia (from aa six-week placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial). Holtmann G et al [Aliment
Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Dec;18(11-12):1099-105]. Marakis G has a similar report. [Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec;9(8):694-9].
[16] Gadban H, Gilbey P, Talmon Y, Samet A, Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003 Jul;112(7):651-3].[17] Saenz Rodriguez T et
al, Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec;9(8):687-93] [18] [Planta Med. 2002 Sep;68(9):776-9].
Artichoke is found in South Europe, North Africa, and the Canary Islands. Ancient Greeks
and Romans used artichoke as a digestive aid. It may have health benefits on high
cholesterol and indigestion.
THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS,
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX