What are Artichokes, and Where do Artichokes Come From?
The Globe Artichoke is a perennial thistle that originated around the Mediterranean region. The plant grows up to 2 meters tall with arching green leaves 50 to 80 cm long. The flowers develop from an edible bud with triangular scales. The edible portion consists mainly of the lower, fleshy portion of the buds. Artichoke cultivation is concentrated in the Mediterranean region including Italy, Spain, and France. In the US, California produces almost 100% of the US Artichoke crops, where 80% of that production is grown in Monterey County.
Artichokes are commonly used in cooking, where it is usually boiled or steamed until soft. The leaves are often removed and eaten one at a time, and can be dipped in hollandaise, vinegar, butter, mayonnaise, aioli, lemon juice or other sauces. In France artichokes are very popular deep fried. In Italy artichoke hearts in oil are the usual vegetable for spring in the 'Four Seasons' pizza. [1] There is also artichoke tea available sold as a commercial tea product.
Aside from its main cooking uses, artichoke and artichoke extract also offers a wide variety of health benefits for humans. Numerous studies done on artichoke have found it to have antioxidant properties, reduces plasma cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic (high cholesterol) adults, reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and also improves quality of life in individuals suffering from concomitant dyspepsia (indigestion). We will explore some of these health benefits of artichoke below, and make some illustrations with clinical studies performed on artichoke and artichoke leaf extract.
Health Benefits of Artichoke Leaf Extract
In our research of artichoke, we reviewed numerous clinical trials involving human subjects, which clearly demonstrates the many health benefits of artichoke leaf extract - it is important to note here, that while some studies were performed using lab animals, most of these studies we reviewed were performed using actual human subjects, which is important, as they are more indicative of real results in human subjects as opposed to animals. As mentioned above, there are many health benefits of artichokes, and they include:
Antioxidant properties
Reduces symptoms of indigestion
Reduces symptoms of irritible bowel syndrome
Lowers plasma cholesterol levels in persons with high cholesterol
Artichoke Extract - Antioxidant Properties
Artichoke extract is known to have antioxidant properties, where studies done with both rats and humans have found it to be useful for prevention of oxidative stress [2] and increases total antioxidant capacity. [3] In one study involving rats, the antioxidant properties of artichoke extract was examined on carbon tetracholoride induced oxidative stress. Rats were given artichoke leaf extract at 1.5g per kilogram of body weight each day for a 2 week period, and after, the carbon tetracholoride was applied. From the findings of this study, the researchers concluded that artichoke extract administration may be useful for the prevention of oxidative stress-induced hepatotoxicity (chemical driven liver damage). [2]
High-intensity physical exercise decreases intracellular antioxidant potential, and an enhanced antioxidant defense system is desirable in people subjected to exhaustive exercise. In another study involving physically active human subjects (competitive rowers), it was found that the total antioxidant capacity was increased from consuming artichoke extract. We have summarized the study below:
The influence of supplementation with artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) extract on selected redox parameters in rowers. Skarpanska-Stejnborn A, Pilaczynska-Szczesniak L, Basta P, Deskur-Smielcka E, Horoszkiewicz-Hassan M.
Dept. of Water Sports, University School of Physical Education in Poznan, Gorzów Wlkp, Poland.
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of supplementation with artichoke-leaf extract on parameters describing balance between oxidants and antioxidants in competitive rowers. This double-blinded study was carried out in 22 members of the Polish rowing team who were randomly assigned to a supplemented group receiving 400mg of artichoke leaf extract 3 times a day for 5 weeks, or a placebo control group. At start and end of the study, participants performed a 2000 meter test on a rowing ergometer. Blood samples were taken a 1 minute and 24 hours after test completion.
The study found that plasma total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in the artichoke group, and serum cholesterol levels were also significantly lower compared to the placebo group. They concluded that consuming artichoke leaf extract resulted in higher total antioxidant capacity, and that artichoke has high antioxidant potential. [3]
Artichoke Leaf Extract - Reduces Cholesterol
As already briefly mentioned above, artichoke leaf extract is found to reduce cholesterol levels. In the previous study above, although designed to determine the antioxidant properties of artichoke, the study also found that artichoke extract also significantly lower cholesterol levels in the competitive rowers. Below, we share two additional studies on artichokes beneficial effects for lowering cholesterol levels.
Artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) reduces plasma cholesterol in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial. Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Wallis C, Simpson HC.
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Chemistry, Food Biosciences & Pharmacy, The University of Reading, Reading, UK.
Cardiovascular diseases are the chief causes of death in the UK, and are associated with high circulating levels of total cholesterol in the plasma. Artichoke leaf extracts have been reported to reduce plasma lipids levels, including total cholesterol. This study was designed to assess the effect of artichoke on plasma lipid levels in adults with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol). 75 adults took part and were randomised into the trial. They consumed either a placebo or a daily 1280mg dose of artichoke leaf extract for 12 weeks.
The study found that plasma total cholesterol decreased in the artichoke treated group by an average of 4.2%, compared to an increase of 1.9% in the control group. The artichoke treated group also reported an improvement in general well-being. The study concluded that artichoke leaf extract consumption resulted in a modest but favorable statistically significant difference in total cholesterol after 12 weeks. [4]
In a similar trial conducted in Germany, the effects of artichoke extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia was studied. 143 adults with hyperlipoproteinemia participated in a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial. The patients received 1800mg of artichoke extract each day for 6 weeks. The results showed a 18.5% average decrease of total cholesterol in the artichoke group compared to 8.6% for the placebo group. LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) decreased by 22.9% in the artichoke group, and only decreased 7.2% in the placebo group. The study also found no adverse side effects of using artichoke extract, concluding that this study contributes clear evidence to recommend artichoke extract for treating hyperlipoproteinemia, and thus helps prevent atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. [5]
As you can see, there is a clear benefit of artichoke extract for individuals with high cholesterol levels. Even more noteworthy is the fact that while artichoke extract decreased overall cholesterol levels by 18.5% on average, it decreased LDL cholesterol levels by 22.9%.
Artichoke Leaf Extract - Provides Relief for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Indigestion
Aside from being a powerful antioxidant and having cholesterol lowering properties, artichoke leaf extract also provides relief for irritable bowel syndrome, and also helps reduce the symptoms of indigestion.
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. Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Marakis G, Booth JC.
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, Reading, UK. r.bundy@reading.ac.uk
This was a post hoc analysis of previous dose-ranging, open, postal study involving adults suffering from dyspepsia (indigestion). The review identified 208 adults suffering with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) were compared before and after a 2-month intervention period.
They found there was a significant decrease (26.4%) in IBS incidence after treatment with artichoke. NDI total symptom score significantly decreased by 41% after treatment, and there was also a 20% increase in the NDI quality of life score - concluding that artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of IBS and also improves related quality of life scores. [6]
In another study done at the University of Reading in UK, the study investigated the efficacy of a low-dose artichoke leaf extract on amelioration of dyspeptic symptoms and improvement of quality of life. 516 volunteers participated in this study. 2 month treatments of 320mg or 640mg doses of artichoke were given to the participants. The study found that there was a significant reduction of all dyspeptic symptoms, with an average reduction of 40% in global dyspepsia score. Health-related quality of life score was also significantly improved in both groups compared with baseline. The researchers concluded that artichoke extract shows promise to ameliorate upper gastrointestinal symptoms and improve quality of life in otherwise healthy subjects suffering from dyspepsia. [7]
With the information and studies presented above, we can clearly see the many health benefits of artichoke extract. Supported by clinical trials involving real human subjects, artichoke provides potent antioxidant properties, helps lower plasma cholesterol levels thus helps to prevent atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, reduces symptoms of IBS, and also helps to reduce the symptoms of indigestion.
1. Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artichoke
2. Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2008 Sep;60(6):475-80. Epub 2008 Jun 25.
Effect of pretreatment with artichoke extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and oxidative stress.
Mehmetçik G, Ozdemirler G, Koçak-Toker N, Cevikbaş U, Uysal M.
Art and Science Faculty, Near East University, Lefkoşa, KKTC.
3. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2008 Jun;18(3):313-27.
The influence of supplementation with artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) extract on selected redox parameters in rowers.
Skarpanska-Stejnborn A, Pilaczynska-Szczesniak L, Basta P, Deskur-Smielcka E, Horoszkiewicz-Hassan M.
Dept. of Water Sports, University School of Physical Education in Poznan, Gorzów Wlkp, Poland.
4. Phytomedicine. 2008 Sep;15(9):668-75.
Artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) reduces plasma cholesterol in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial.
Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Wallis C, Simpson HC.
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Chemistry, Food Biosciences & Pharmacy, The University of Reading, Reading, UK.
5. Arzneimittelforschung. 2000 Mar;50(3):260-5.
Efficacy of Artichoke dry extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.
Englisch W, Beckers C, Unkauf M, Ruepp M, Zinserling V.
Novartis Consumer Health GmbH, Munich, Germany.
6. J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Aug;10(4):667-9.
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.
Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Marakis G, Booth JC.
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, Reading, UK. r.bundy@reading.ac.uk
7. Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec;9(8):694-9.
Artichoke leaf extract reduces mild dyspepsia in an open study.
Marakis G, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Booth JC, Wright J, Pike DJ.
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, The University of Reading, UK.
