Artichoke Benefits
Research Findings, Health Benefits and Side Effects
updated on January 2, 2006     
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]

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.
SUPPLEMENT IS NOT MEDICINE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2006 ZHION INC.

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.
The Jerusalem
artichoke isn't in the
artichoke family, but is a
member of the
sunflower family. Its
official name is actually
sunchoke. [A]
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