Amazing Health Benefits Of Artichokes

Benefits Cholesterol

Research has shown consuming whole artichokes and artichoke extract benefits cholesterol. A large study of more than seven hundred subjects who were followed over a period of five to thirteen weeks found the daily use of an artichoke leaf extract reduced both total cholesterol and levels of low-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol. A German study of 143 patients with high cholesterol demonstrated artichoke extract was significantly more effective than a placebo in achieving cholesterol reduction. In fact, the study showed the daily consumption of artichoke leaf extract for a period of six weeks was associated with a 22.9 percent reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and an 18.5 percent decrease in total cholesterol. An animal study of artichoke benefits found artichoke extract reduced triglycerides by twenty-two percent, and the same study also reported the extract was linked to a thirty percent reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

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May Protect From Liver Damage

Studies suggest artichokes may protect from liver damage. In addition to protecting the liver from damage, artichoke leaf extract is believed to help the liver in growing new tissue. The extract may also increase the amount of bile produced by the body; bile supports the removal of dangerous toxins from the liver. An animal study conducted on rats given a drug overdose discovered the rats that had consumed artichoke extract had less liver damage, improved liver function, and increased levels of antioxidants as compared to the rats that had not received the artichoke extract.

Human studies have shown similar benefits. For example, research done on a group of ninety individuals who had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease discovered their liver function improved after consuming six hundred milligrams of artichoke extract every day for eight weeks. Additional research on obese adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease reported the daily use of artichoke extract across a two-month period was associated with a reduction in fat deposits in the liver and reduced inflammation in the organ as compared to a control group that did not use the extract. Although further research is needed, scientists believe cynarin and silymarin, two of the antioxidants found in artichokes, are likely responsible for the food's beneficial effects on the liver.

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