What is the artichoke good for?
Did you know that there are more than 20,000 species, although in reality there are few species of artichokes that are originally grown in the world? The reason is obvious: they need a warm climate and a calcareous terrain, which is not possible to find in many places. However, from a historical point of view there is evidence that both Greeks and Romans already ate it, while it was not until the arrival of King Henry VII (January 28, 1457 - April 21, 1509) when it was officially introduced In England.
Since then, the artichoke has become a highly appreciated food, not only from a culinary or gastronomic point of view (for its bitter taste and texture when cooked), but from a medicinal point of view for its incredible benefits and properties. In fact, as we will treat later, it becomes one of the most interesting foods when it comes to caring for the liver, acting as an excellent protector and liver cleanser.
Suitable to fight diabetes
Different studies have shown that the artichoke is able to reduce blood sugar levels, so that it is an essential and indisputable food in the diabetic diet, helping to fight diabetes from a nutritional point of view.
It is a food that does not dramatically increase blood glucose levels. In fact, it not only helps to keep it stable, but it is even capable of helping to reduce it in a totally natural way.
Excellent digestive
The artichoke is rich in cinarina, an acid substance capable of increase the secretion of bile. By this quality it becomes an ideal food for both the digestive system and to help the proper functioning of both the liver and the bile.
In the particular case of cynarin, it acts at the time of increasing the production of bile, so necessary and essential for the digestion of fats. Hence, it is an ideal food to facilitate heavy and difficult digestions.
Ideal for eliminating toxins
Precisely because of its content in cinarina, the artichoke is also an adequate food for eliminate accumulated toxins in our body, a very well-known benefit that has definitely given him that popularity known as depurative.
To care for and purify the liver
The artichoke is also especially useful for cleansing the liver, helping regenerate liver cells in a totally natural way For this reason it also helps combat toxic substances, being a recommended food in case of fatty liver (a disorder consisting of the accumulation of fat in the liver, which if untreated can evolve to more serious stages, such as cirrhosis or Liver cancer).
Due to the presence of cynarin, the artichoke is also recommended in case of jaundice, lazy liver and poor digestion of fats.
In case of high cholesterol and triglycerides
Since the artichoke is a bitter-tasting food, it favors the function of the liver, helps us to digest fats much better, is rich in cynarin, and acts as an excellent cleanser and diuretic, is also useful at the time of reduce the high cholesterol and the triglycerides.
In the particular case of high cholesterol and high triglycerides, a regular consumption of cooked artichokes (not accompanied by fat) helps to lower the levels of both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol, acting in turn positively on the HDL cholesterol (good).
Images | Joy / Mike Mozart This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist.
