Artichoke for Healing Gut and Improving Digestion

Artichoke is known to be divine for its digestive powers. A relative of the prominent herb Milk Thistle, Artichoke is found to stimulate the bile flow, which assists to transport the toxins from your liver out of your body. Thus, helps in promoting the elimination of toxins from the body. Bile production is improved by cynarin, a chemical compound present in Artichoke. Artichoke further enables fat digestion as well as absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from food. Artichokes have been employed as an indigestion cure in various countries for more than a century.

The boost in the production of bile from the cynarin existing in Artichoke extract acts as a liver support by assisting the liver in expelling out the harmful toxins (including alcohol). Artichoke has also been shown to contain a flavonoid named silymarin, a strong hepatoprotectant. Silymarin helps to lower down the process of lipid peroxidation from taking place in the cell membranes of the liver tissues, making Artichoke the ideal herb for making your liver function better. Apart from cynarin, Artichoke is also packed with phytonutrients including quercetin, rutin, as well as gallic acid.

A research study demonstrated the effects of Artichoke extract on digestion.  The subjects reported considerable relief from their signs and symptoms (Adam B., et al.; 2003). In addition, its extract has been found to lower down the signs of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In a clinical trial, patients were given Artichoke extract for a time period of 6 months and at the conclusion of the study, approximately quarter patients showed a decrease in the IBS signs (Bundy R., et al.; 2004).

Also, Artichokes are known to comprise inulin which is a prebiotic that assists in feeding the gut microorganisms. Gut microorganisms are significant for healing the gut problems and maintaining immune health.

Another compound present in Artichokes is Sinlininin, which is identified for its capability to guard the liver from toxins and poisons.

Artichoke extract is a well-accepted source of Vitamins A, B, and C, in conjunction with key nutrients such as fiber and minerals including Chromium, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, and Zinc. Additionally, the supplement is found to consist of a huge amount of phytonutrients as well as antioxidants beneficial for overall health, heart function, and many other physiological processes.

5 remarkable reasons to use Artichoke supplements:

1. Artichoke prevents stomach ulcers.

Various research studies have demonstrated that Artichoke extract can be used to enhance the quantity of mucous produced by the stomach lining (Hotmann G., et al.; 2003). This mucous helps in guarding your stomach lining from the acids that break down your food and checks out the production of holes (ulcers) in your stomach lining.

2. Artichoke is constituted with potent antispasmodic effects.

Muscle relaxers are time and again recommended for relieving muscle pain and aches as a result of a muscle spasm or tension in the muscle cells. Artichoke extracts have been revealed to exert powerful antispasmodic effects in the similar way as the often-approved pharmaceutical medicine, Papaverine.

3. Artichokes as an alternative cancer treatment.

Artichokes possess potent anti-angiogenesis properties (in other words, prevent the development of new blood vessels) (Loboda, A., et al.; 2005). These approaches are frequently utilized by cancer patients in order to stop the circulation to tumors, eventually starving those tumors to death. Researchers consider Artichoke to contribute in the prevention as well as management of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and leukaemia.

4. Artichokes have a potential to prevent cardiovascular disease.

The great quantities of antioxidants in Artichoke have been shown to prevent the damage to arterial walls that commence the accumulation of cholesterol. Artichoke has also been found to exhibit powerful blood-lipid lowering abilities, which make them the vital prevention supplement for cardiovascular disorders.

Often, high cholesterol is linked to an enhanced risk for coronary heart disease.  Artichoke is found to consist of polyphenols that are a great help for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

5. Artichoke support healthy vision.

Artichoke is high in lutein, a strong carotenoid antioxidant known to prevent the distressing effects of macular degeneration with the person’s age.

References:

1. Adam B., et al. (2003). Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 18(11-12): pp 1099-105.
2. Bundy R., et al. (2004). Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and improves quality of life in otherwise healthy volunteers suffering from concomitant dyspepsia: a subset analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 10(4): pp 667-9.
3. Hotmann G., et al. (2003). Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-centre trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 18: pp 1099–1105.
4. Loboda, A., et al. (2005). Effect of plant extracts on angiogenic activities of endothelial cells and keratinocytes. Journal of Psychology of Physiology and Pharmacology. 56(1): pp 125-137.