Health Benefits of Artichokes
I discovered the joy of eating artichokes just a few years ago. I like it best simply boiled whole, and each shell peeled off and dipped in garlicky creme fraiche. Yeah, I know, not exactly the healthiest dip, but as I ony seldom have it, I allow myself such rare indulgences.
Did you know that artichokes are nutrient dense?
Artichokes are an excellent source of dietary magnesium, fiber, and the trace mineral chromium. They are also a very good source of vitamins A and C, folic acid, biotin, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, potassium, the trace mineral manganese, and a carbohydrate that is in the form of insulin.
In addition, artichokes have also been demonstrated to impart a wide range of health benefits:
It is known to positively help poor liver function (thus helping to lower the blood cholesterol), arteriosclerosis, gout, supports the treatment of hepatitis and improves the gall secretions. It can slightly lower the blood sugar, improve the appetite and digestion, is diuretic and may help some migraine conditions (most especially those caused by toxins in the blood). As it helps the body rid itself of excess water and moves toxins it also has the added side effect of an improved skin luminosity.
Wow, what a superfood indeed. Hm, got artichoke recipes to share?
You know, I’ve never eaten an artichoke, but I’ve been growing very interested lately in learning what they taste like. I just might dig up a recipe and give them a try and see if I’ll like them or not.
Well Ruth, I completely agree with you on the health benefits of Artichokes, it is such an amazing and tasty vegetable that it’s a surprise you hardly see it on the table. However, I have a tasty artichoke dip recipe that people really seem to love on my website: http://www.chefmd.com/recipe_display.php?id=43.
This recipe uses the following ingredients: (please see weblink for preparation).
1 (141⁄2 oz.) can quartered or whole artichoke hearts in water, drained
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
1 (7 oz.) tub 2% fat Greek style yogurt, such as Fage or Trader Joe’s
3⁄4 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
2 tablespoons light sour cream
1/8 teaspoon each: salt, freshly ground black pepper and freshly ground nutmeg
2 cups baby carrots or large carrot chips (packaged in the produce section, such as Bolthouse brand)
1 head Belgian endive, end trimmed, separated into leaves
16 pretzel rods
Best of luck, let me know how it tastes!
If you want the health benefits of artichokes without cooking or eating them buy Cynarol at your local health food store or go on line at florahealth.com (dr. Dunner). 200 mg of pure oprganic artichoke juice in a capsule-take 2-4 a day for health maintenance.