Artichokes - Healthy in Every Form

Artichokes have been around for centuries, and have long been associated with fine dining. But did you know they're also good for your health? Not only are these spiny, globe-shaped vegetables a succulent dish to enjoy with butter and garlic, they are also packed with nutrients.

Artichokes have been shown in numerous medical studies to lower bad blood cholesterol levels, lower blood sugar and improve liver function. If eaten regularly, artichokes are a healthy addition to your diet that also help improve digestion. Fat-free and only about 60 calories, they are a flavorful indulgence you don't have to feel guilty about. They are also rich in potassium, magnesium and fiber.

The most common ways to prepare artichokes are either boiled or steamed in order to soften the edible, fleshy inner side of the tough leaves. After that, however, you can do almost anything with the flesh, from simply eating after dipping in melted butter to mashing for use in Spinach-Artichoke Dip.

Artichoke tea has been the most traditional form for aiding digestion, but today you can find artichoke supplements that use the inedible leaves and flower head as well as the leaves to produce capsules that contain healthy extracts that improve liver function and lower cholesterol and blood sugar. Look for ones that don't contain fillers or additives such as wheat or coloring, and list artichoke and cynarin as the primary ingredients.

Whether you eat artichokes regularly or opt for the nutritional supplements, artichokes can add needed minerals to your diet and improve your body's overall efficiency so that you feel better.

All Article Text on this site is copyrighted© 2006-2007 weightcontrolroom.com All rights reserved. Do not copy.
The info on this site is for informational purposes only and not medical info in any way, see disclaimer.