5 “golden” health benefits of artichoke – did you know?

For a long time, artichoke has been favored by many for its cooling properties, its benefits for the liver and for a good night’s sleep. Beyond that, artichoke also brings countless other benefits for health that no one should miss. Let’s explore the wonderful things that artichoke offers for health together with HTP Pharma through this article!

1. An overview of artichoke

1.1. Origin

Artichoke (scientific name Cynara) has ancient origins in Southern Europe, where the Ancient Greeks and Romans used its flowers to prepare foods for daily use. In the mid-to-late 16th century, thanks to waves of migration, artichoke gradually became popular and, to this day, is grown mainly in countries such as France, Italy, Spain, the United States and Latin American countries. In the early 20th century, the French introduced this plant into our country and grew it concentrated in Sa Pa, Tam Đảo and, most of all, Đà Lạt.

1.2. Characteristics

Artichoke is a perennial herbaceous plant, suited to growing in regions with temperate and subtropical climates. A mature artichoke plant has a tall, sturdy stem that can reach a height of 1.4–2m, with large, long, serrated leaves and purple-red flowers with an enlarged upper head.

2. Discover 5 wonderful health benefits of artichoke

2.1. Lowering Cholesterol

A large-scale study with more than 700 participants showed that supplementing with artichoke leaf for 5–13 weeks can help lower the total amount of harmful Cholesterol in the body.

In addition, research results also show that artichoke extract contains a large amount of Luteolin, an antioxidant that helps prevent the formation of harmful Cholesterol. On top of that, artichoke leaf extract also has the ability to help the body process bad Cholesterol effectively.

2.2. Preventing and treating cancer

Thanks to possessing a diverse range of antioxidant compounds such as Rutin, Quercetin, Silymarin and Gallic acid… artichoke plays a role in helping to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. At the same time, the nutrients in artichoke also help prevent the transformation of cells that cause forms of cancer including: prostate cancer, breast cancer and leukemia.

2.3. Boosting cardiovascular health

A 2020 study concluded that people who have the habit of using artichoke have a lower rate of cardiovascular disease than ordinary people. Along with that, Nutrition Expert Chatfield also stated: “Artichoke can improve other factors that lead to heart disease, such as: high blood pressure and triglyceride levels that threaten your health.” That is the reason you should regularly add artichoke to your diet to help protect cardiovascular health.

2.4. Improving liver function

Besides being good for the heart, artichoke also helps protect and stimulate the formation of new liver tissue, increase bile production and remove toxins from the liver. Nutrition expert Azzaro also stated: “Artichoke also contains a compound called Silymarin, which has the ability to help increase bile flow in the liver. From there, it gives the body the opportunity to easily metabolize hormones and eliminate toxins in the process of protecting the liver.”

2.5. Good for the digestive system

When it comes to foods that are good for the digestive system, artichoke cannot be left out. The reason is that artichoke is very rich in Inulin – a type of fiber that helps improve the gut microbiome. From there, it helps stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria for the intestines, improving constipation, diarrhea and the risk of colorectal cancer.

3. Recipes for preparing artichoke that are good for the body

3.1 Artichoke detox tea

Prepare the ingredients:

10g dried artichoke

2 liters of boiling water

A teapot

How to make it:

Put the dried artichoke into the pot, pour in just enough boiling water to rinse it in order to remove any remaining dirt, and repeat 3–4 times.

Pour boiling water to fill the pot, steep for 3–5 minutes and you can enjoy a delicious cup of tea that cools the body.

3.2. Artichoke stewed with pork trotter

Prepare the ingredients:

500 grams of pork trotter

100 grams of artichoke

2 carrots

Seasoning

Green onions, coriander

Preparation:

– Chop the pork trotter into pieces, soak it in salt water and rinse thoroughly several times until the blood is washed away.

– Cut the artichoke flowers into bite-sized pieces, remove the choke and rinse under clean running water.

– Carve the carrots into eye-catching shapes and cut them into bite-sized pieces.

How to make it:

– Simmer the pork trotter for 15–20 minutes until tender, continuously skimming off the foam to keep the broth clear.

– Drop the pre-cut carrots into the pot, then add the artichoke flowers and cook until all 3 ingredients are cooked through.

– Turn off the heat and season the broth to taste.

3.3. Artichoke and red date sweet soup

Prepare the ingredients:

2–3 fresh artichoke flowers

1 bunch of pandan leaves

1 pack of red dates

Rock sugar

How to make it:

Bring water to a boil, add the cleaned fresh artichoke flowers along with the pandan leaves into the pot. When the water reaches a rolling boil, lower the heat, add the red dates and simmer for about 10 more minutes so the artichoke and red dates release all their sweetness.

Scoop out and discard the spent artichoke flowers, add rock sugar to the pot, and season the sweetness to suit your taste.

Store in the refrigerator to use gradually.

5. Things to “keep in mind” when using artichoke

Although artichoke is a food that is very good for health, if used incorrectly it can also cause unwanted side effects. Therefore, during use you need to keep the following issues in mind:

5.1. Avoid using too much

Due to its diuretic, laxative and body-cooling effects, if you use an amount of artichoke that exceeds the permitted level it will lead to many “unpredictable” consequences such as: causing bloating, kidney failure, liver damage or loss of appetite.

5.2. Choose the right time

Artichoke tea helps you fall asleep more easily and sleep better, but that does not mean you can use it at any time. Artichoke tea is extremely suitable to sip and enjoy in the morning or afternoon, so avoid using it from around 7 p.m. onward if you don’t want your sleep to be disrupted.

5.3. Storing artichoke

For fresh artichoke flowers, you can store them either outside or in the refrigerator.

– To keep outside: Wrap newspaper around the artichoke, dip the stems into a container full of water, and place it in cool, airy spots to extend the storage time up to 5 days.

– To keep in the refrigerator crisper: Wrap the artichoke flowers in newspaper and store them in the refrigerator crisper to keep the artichoke perfectly fresh.

Artichoke is a food that is very easy to find in daily life. We hope that, with the information we have just provided, it will help you recognize the precious benefits that artichoke brings to health and add this food to your regular diet.