Artichokes have always been one of my favorite vegetables. Not only do I love to use them in flower arranging, but I love their flavor. In honor of it being the beginning of the green month, I thought I’d share the top 5 reasons why you should make this green vegetable part of your daily diet.
1. Artichokes are High in Antioxidants:
In 2007, the USDA did a study on antioxidants in food. Artichokes took seventh place out of 1,000 other foods for the total antioxidant capacity per serving. Antioxidants are important because they prevent damage to the cells in your body and repair them when damage has already occurred.
2. Artichokes are High in Fiber:
I came across this lovely chart and was surprised to see that one artichoke contains more fiber than one whole cup of prunes! Who knew?!
3. Artichokes Help to Lower Your Cholesterol:
There is no fat in an artichoke. No cholesterol or trans fat either. Artichokes contain cyanic properties which help to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise the good kind (HDL).
4. Artichokes are Good for Your Liver:
The vitamins and minerals in artichokes help the liver to better perform its vital functions. Some nutritionists recommend eating artichokes to help with irritable bowel syndrome. Research shows that this is because this green vegetable not only helps your liver, but your gall bladder as well.
5. Artichokes are delicious:
If you’ve never tasted this delicious green veggie, then you are missing out! I recommend adding it to something that you already love. Put artichoke hearts on a pizza or stir them into your favorite pasta dish. Once you’ve tried them, you’ll want to make them a part of your diet.
