Health & Beauty. delivery number 36: THE ARTICHOKE.

Thank you for visiting my blog and Continuing with the series of properties and benefits of fruits and vegetables, today I bring you information about:

The artichoke is a plant with particular properties belonging to the Asteraceae family. Not only is it a versatile vegetable in the kitchen, but it is also a very important vegetable for the prevention of serious diseases. The secret of its virtues lies in cinnarin, the aromatic substance that gives it its characteristic bitter taste and many of its beneficial and therapeutic properties. Your regular intake has several health benefits. Let's see some.

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Protection against cancer:

Artichokes have proven effective against tumors, particularly against breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, due to their high antioxidant content. Artichoke extract induces death by apoptosis of breast cancer cells.

Benefits for the liver:

The organ that gets the greatest benefits from the artichoke's properties is the liver. This property is due to cinnarine, an acid also present in the leaves. Its active ingredients are deactivated when cooked (for this reason it is better to consume the raw artichoke).

It has been shown that cinnarin stimulates the production of bile, an essential compound for the digestive process that the liver produces. Without adequate bile production, no diet can be effective for health. This is because many of the essential nutrients would not be properly absorbed by the body.

Bowel Benefit:

Artichoke leaf extract is effective in relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of this disorder are often painful and include stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea and bloating.

Lower cholesterol:

A very important property of artichoke is the ability that cinnarine has to lower the level of bad LDL cholesterol in the blood. In this way, this plant protects the body from hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. The artichoke extract taken daily leads to a reduction in bad LDL cholesterol, also one of the compounds called luteolin, which is an antioxidant compound, prevents the formation of cholesterol.

Help for diabetics:

Scientific studies show that artichoke helps balance blood sugar levels. Some studies have shown that eating boiled artichokes during a meal reduces blood sugar and insulin after eating.

Prevents birth defects:

These vegetables are also precious allies of pregnant women, due to high levels of folic acid, which can prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects in unborn children.

Brain health:

Artichokes provide vitamin K. This vitamin offers protection against neuronal damage and brain degeneration. Therefore, it represents a preventive method for Alzheimer's and dementia in the elderly. In addition to this, its vasodilator properties allow a greater supply of oxygen to the brain. The artichoke also contains good amounts of phosphorus. The lack of phosphorus is related to a decrease in cognitive abilities.

Bone health:

Vitamin K plays an important role in bone formation and maintenance of your health. In addition to this, they are a good source of vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and manganese.

Blood pressure:

Daily consumption of artichoke extract for several weeks reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This vegetable is also a good source of potassium that, thanks to its vasodilator properties, helps regulate blood pressure. Chlorogenic acid is also present in the heart of the artichoke, a substance with strong antioxidant properties, which is capable of preventing arteriosclerotic and cardiovascular diseases.

Digestion:

The artichoke is a good source of fiber that promotes the health of the digestive system by nourishing the good bacteria of the intestine. This reduces the risk of intestinal tumors and protects against constipation and diarrhea.

One of the compounds present in the artichoke that has prebiotic properties is inulin, taken daily for a few weeks, increases intestinal bacteria. Artichokes can be useful for relieving indigestion symptoms, such as nausea, bloating and heartburn.

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Protect the Skin:

The artichoke contains cinaropicrin, an important bioactive chemical that reduces oxidative damage caused by UV rays and protecting the skin.

Lose weight:

The artichoke is famous for its slimming property due to its low calorie level, its diuretic effect and its ability to digest fats and eliminate them. Many artichoke-based products are sold, you can also prepare water (cooking) artichoke and take several times a day to lose weight.

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First you must know how to identify when the artichoke is fresh, grab them with your index finger and thumb and press, if the artichoke is hard and compact, it is fresh, if it tends to flatten it is not.

A fresh artichoke should have its tips still tightly closed and if the stem has attached leaf anchors, they should not wilt, but, on the contrary, they are very fresh.

Artichokes can be eaten raw, steamed, roasted, in salads, soups, creams, main dishes and infusions.

• The artichoke is closely related to daisy, marigold and chrysanthemum, and with flowers. People who are allergic to these flowers may also be allergic to artichokes.

• People with gallstones should not consume it.

• Finally, artichokes have diuretic properties, so if you have an overactive bladder, avoid consuming them.

I hope you like this initiative ... you can make suggestions and propose fruits and vegetables for the next delivery.

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