Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world. That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that aging ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br
Artichoke is thistle like plant that is
widely cultivated for the flower heads. The flower heads are edible part
of the plant and considered as vegetables.
Synonyms
- Cynara cardunculus (It is a botanical name of the artichoke plant)
- Globe Artichoke
- Cardoon (Uncultivated or wild variety of artichoke)
The
budding flower head is combination or cluster of lots of budding small
flowers, which have many edible bases and bracts. Cardoon is the name
given to uncultivated and wild variety of the artichoke plant. It is the
perennial plant and native to Mediterranean locations or regions.
Nutrition Facts
100 grams of artichoke contains:
Nutrients | Amount | %Daily Value |
Vitamin C | 7.5 mg | 12% |
Vitamin K | 15 mcg | 18% |
Folate | 89 mcg | 22% |
Alpha Tocopherol | 0.2 mg | 1% |
Thiamin | 0.1 mg | 3% |
Niacin | 1.1 mg | 6% |
Riboflavin | 0.1 mg | 5% |
Vitamin B6 | 0.1 mg | 4% |
Pantothenic Acid | 0.2 mg | 2% |
Betaine | 0.2 mg | |
Choline | 34.4 mg |
Vitamin
K helps in improving bone health and promotes the bone formation.
Vitamin C present in artichoke helps to have a healthy skin and acts as
an antioxidant as well.
Health Benefits of Artichoke
Good for digestion
It
enjoys the stardom position in many of the dishes, which are prepared
across the cuisines, as being low in fat content along with calories. It
enables in enjoying its good portion in your meals without the worry of
gaining weight.
Another important
component of dietary helps in improving digestion by enabling superb
movement of bowel. It is rich in source with respect to dietary fiber
and making it favorite among the digestion enhancers.
Enhanced with folic acid
It
is remarkable source of folic acid. It is also regarded as co-factor of
reactions of enzymes. It is beneficial for the synthesis of DNA during
the pregnancy and treating neural tube problems or issues.
Lactones and cynarin for lowering cholesterol
It
also contains components such as lactones and cynarin, which are
helpful in preventing synthesis of cholesterol, by keeping heart in
healthy form and pattern. It improves the secretion of bile, which
results into reduction of the overall cholesterol levels in your blood.
Antioxidants and Free radical formation
Artichoke
are good source of natural phyto chemicals that work as anti-oxidants
These antioxidants are crucial for preventing free radical formation
and coping with oxidative stress produced by these free radicals in the
body.
These free radicals are also
responsible for aging and cancers. Buds of artichoke help to delay aging
and arrest cancer-forming reactions in the body.
An
appropriate portion of Vitamin C is making it possible for the body for
resisting inflammatory reactions and helping in preventing infections
to larger extent.
Alzheimer’s Diseases
Artichoke
is believed to be effective remedy for the Alzheimer’s disease.
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease should include this vegetable in their
diet chart.
High blood pressure
100
g Artichoke contains 285 mg potassium (8%DV), so it is one of the good
foods for the heart and hypertension. Including artichoke in your meal
will help you to keep blood pressure under control.
Keeps you healthy
Artichoke
keeps you healthy by improving metabolism and overall health with the
natural phyto-chemicals present in it. It is also good for hairs and
skin. It provides a very rich supply of natural antioxidants and
peptides that meliorate the texture of the skin and nourish the all
cells and tissues of the body.
Wrinkles and blemishes
It
helps to reduces wrinkles and blemishes and provides a smooth face that
looks beautiful. It prevents the skin from any damage due to the UV
rays and environmental pollution.
Eczema and psoriasis
Individuals
who are suffering from skin ailments, especially eczema and psoriasis
can consume a concoction of the artichokes for improving and nourishing
the skin.
Artichoke Tea
Artichoke
tea is a preparation of artichoke vegetable, especially artichoke
flower heads or leaves. It has many benefits. It is good for skin
diseases, improves circulation in the body and many more that we discuss
in this article.
How to make artichoke tea
- You need to wash artichoke flower heads thoroughly.
- Then chop it off the base the vegetables, and then let it boil for on high heat for maximum an hour’s time.
- You should reduce the heat after an hour’s time, which would let the vegetable simmer for at least half an hour.
- For taste, you could add at least a tablespoon of honey in it. You should also drink a glass of juice by adding some more water if you wish to do so.
Benefits of Artichoke tea
Artichoke tea for Skin
You
can take the concoction whether it is hot or cold. Such a concoction is
quite beneficial with respect to skin and you could watch immediate
effect on your skin quality in just few days of drinking the juice.
Many of the creams, potions and lotions, gels are containing its extracts for anti-ageing and skin luminosity.
Artichoke tea promotes blood circulation
It also promotes blood circulation throughout the body for improving and remarkable young look.
Reduces the cholesterol
Artichoke
concoction also reduces the cholesterol in the blood, thus by promoting
a healthy liver, which in turn is leading to the healthy and nourished
skin as liver eliminates toxins from body.
Rich in vitamin C
It
is a good source of Vitamins C along with calcium and phosphorus. All
these vitamins and minerals replenish the damaged, dry, dull and
lifeless hair by improving the quality.
One could use the juice and water for cooling for about three hours.
Cures damaged hairs and removes dandruff
You
could strain the liquid and then apply for massaging your scalp. You
can leave it for an overnight and washing with warm water along with
mild shampoo in morning. Its liquid helps in repairing the damaged
hairs, and forming a protective layer over the hair shaft, restoring
minerals to dull hair and cleaning up the scalp from the dandruff.
Helpful in Alcohol hangover
It is also helpful in the conditions when you are having hangover due to large amount of alcohol.
Side Effects
Artichoke
is safe in food amounts, but excessive use of artichoke concoction and
tea may some abdominal discomfort and cramps. Some of after effects of
artichoke consumption are as follows:
- Intestinal Gas
- Abdominal discomfort
- Artichoke concoction causes diarrhea in some rare cases
- Allergic reactions (extremely rare)
Safety
is not established with medicinal uses of artichoke concoction, so be
at safer side. Consume it as vegetable only. Extract safety is also not
well established.
Who should not eat artichoke?
People suffering from following health conditions should not eat artichoke.
Allergy
Those people are at risk that is allergic to plants like marigold and some other similar herbs.
Gall bladder stones
There
is also some concern that it may worsen the condition of people with
gall bladder stone. It can cause bile duct obstructions due to increase
in flow of bile due to its bile secreting property.
In pregnancy
There
is not much of information related to artichoke used in pregnant women
and during the breast-feeding, so it is recommended that you should
avoid it for being safe.
In case, you
are suffering from the above conditions then you should surely avoid
intake of it. Before taking it, you should definitely consult your
doctor.
Conclusion
Artichoke
is overall good vegetable and nutritious one. It could have many
benefits and with very little unwanted effects. The unwanted effects
occur in a very few cases, so they are very rare. In folk medicine,
people use artichoke for snakebites, headache due to elevated blood
pressure, and even in diabetes for lowering the blood sugar.
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