Artichoke

The artichoke (Cynarascolymus) is a well-known plant that grows to a height of 5 feet. It is widely cultivated in central Europe and the northern United States as a food. The leaves, stem, and root contain a number of enzymes, tannins, and other compounds, including cynarin, cyaniding, and luteolin. Fresh leaves are put through an extraction process. The extract is then concentrated, filtered, and spray-dried.

Health Benefits

Artichoke extract may play a role in reducing cholesterol levels in individuals with elevated cholesterol levels.1 Adequate intake of Artichoke leaf extracts may aid in relieving symptoms of functional dyspepsia such as: bloating, upper abdominal pain, fullness, and nausea.2 It has been suggested that Artichoke may work as an antioxidant to reduce liver damage (hepatotoxicity).3,4

References

  1. Wider B, Pittler MH, Thompson-Coon J, Ernst E. Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Review. PubMed PMID: 23543518
  2. Giacosa A, Guido D, Grassi M, Riva A, Morazzoni P, Bombardelli E, Perna S, Faliva MA, Rondanelli M. The Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) and Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) Extract Supplementation on Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomised, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:915087. doi: 10.1155/2015/915087. Epub 2015 Apr 14. PubMed PMID: 25954317; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4411465.
  3. Kurt H, Toprak O, Bülbül E. The possible efficacy of artichoke in fluconazole related hepatotoxicity. Case Reports Hepatol. 2014;2014:697359. PubMed PMID: 25374729.
  4. El Morsy EM, Kamel R. Protective effect of artichoke leaf extract against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Pharm Biol. 2015 Feb;53(2):167-73. PubMed PMID: 25243875.