Think an artichoke is a vegetable? Think again.
Artichokes are actually a form of thistle, a flower with prickles (spikes) on its leaves. The portions of the plant that we eat are its budding flower before it comes into bloom. The plant is native to the Mediterranean but is now cultivated throughout the world.
And this unique little plant has more secrets still. In addition to a food source, researchers have developed methods of extracting certain elements from the artichoke for use in medicines and dietary supplements. And its many properties have brought it to the forefront of nutritional science in recent years.
In this article, we look at artichoke extract benefits for health. While you may read about it online under various terms like “artichoke leaf extract”, they’re all from the same source and provide these benefits as a food or a dietary supplement.
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7 Ways Artichokes Can Be Good For Your Health
1. Cholesterol Control
Studies have shown that artichoke leaf extract lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol. Some research has even pegged this change in cholesterol levels around 20% when taking artichoke extract.
2. Blood Pressure Regulation
More research is needed into why this works but artichoke extract appears to help people with high blood pressure. One study found that taking artichoke extract every day for three months lowered blood pressure (both diastolic and systolic) by almost three points. It might be the artichoke’s abundance of potassium which is well documented to help reduce blood pressure.
3. Protection For The Liver
Multiple studies have shown that artichoke leaf extract not only protects the liver from damage but may also actually promote the growth of new tissue. Published research has linked this effect to artichoke extract’s ability to increase the production of bile (which helps remove toxins from your liver).
4. Nootropic Properties
Artichoke extract is a natural PDE4 inhibitor. PDE4 degrades neural signaling in the brain and interferes with both thought and memory. It also helps with neurogenesis, the process of constantly renewing brain cells to keep neural systems firing. This is why artichoke extract is included in Regen Labs’ NeuroDrive™ supplement for brain health.
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5. Nutrients, Nutrients, Nutrients
You could not pack any more nutrients into an artichoke than are already there. These thistles contain good carbs for energy, protein, healthy fat, vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc just to name a few. And all this for only 60 calories!
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is an ailment of the digestive system that can cause bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. In a study of IBS sufferers, using artichoke leaf extract daily for six weeks eased the symptoms of IBS. In fact, 96% of study participants said that the extract relieved symptomsbetter than traditional treatments like laxatives and stomach remedies.
7. Blood Sugar Regulation
How artichoke extract reduces blood sugar is not yet clear. But in scientific studies, artichoke extract has been demonstrated to help lower blood sugar. One study theorized that their evidence showed that artichoke extract’s ability to lower blood sugar may stem from its ability to inhibit alpha-glucosidase (stopping it from raising blood sugar).
There is a lot to think about – we get it. If you have questions about radiant skin or about any of the conditions discussed here, Regen Labs has options for you. All Regen Labs products support the body’s natural systems for a healthy brain, skin, muscle, and sexual health.
Without toxins or synthetic chemicals, Regen Labs products contain research-proven ingredients to boost the body’s natural ability to be healthy.
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