A familiar vegetable garden plant cultivated since Antiquity, the artichoke is used both for its taste and its health benefits. At the table, it is the flower bud that is eaten, while the leaves growing along the stem are used for medicinal purposes, to promote digestion, treat liver problems, and stimulate kidney activity.
A little history
The artichoke is an edible plant whose flower bud is generally eaten. Originally from the Mediterranean, it belongs to the Asteraceae family and comes from the wild thistle, which, through crossbreeding and improvement, became the plant familiar to our vegetable gardens. This food has been consumed since Antiquity for its taste and medicinal properties. Thanks to ancient depictions, we know that the Egyptians cultivated it and that the Greeks and Romans imported it and used it to promote digestion and treat liver and kidney disorders. In traditional European medicine, artichoke leaves have long been used to stimulate kidney activity and bile secretion.
However, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century that French researchers confirmed its effects on the kidneys and gallbladder and began studying it. Following this research, Italians isolated cynarin, a polyphenol that gives the plant its properties. It is believed to have cholagogic properties (facilitating the evacuation of bile from the gallbladder) and choleretic properties (stimulating bile secretion by liver cells). It was therefore synthesized and used to stimulate the liver and gallbladder and lower cholesterol levels, before being replaced by other synthetic molecules.
A nutrient-rich plant
The artichoke we usually eat is in fact only the flower bud of the plant. All its florets make up the hay, also called the artichoke heart. If the artichoke is allowed to develop fully, a purple flower can be seen appearing at its tip. It is this flower that we eat in its immature form. The leaves used for medicinal purposes grow along the stem and are very rich in nutrients. They contain particularly high levels of phenolic compounds (cynarin, luteolin) with strong antioxidant properties, inulin, a prebiotic fiber beneficial to microbiome balance, and excellent-quality fiber. The artichoke is also rich in vitamins C and B9, water, and minerals (potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, etc.). The therapeutic properties of the artichoke were long attributed to its cynarin. Studies have nevertheless highlighted that the health benefits of the artichoke were attributable to the synergy of its active compounds. Indeed, it is a vegetable rich in polyphenols such as flavonoids and luteolins, and especially in chlorogenic acids, well-known antioxidants. This synergy gives the plant its diuretic, detoxifying, and liver-protective properties. This is why it is now widely used in herbal medicine.
What are its benefits?
Artichoke extracts are recognized and have been the subject of several health-claim applications submitted to the European Commission (EFSA). Most are still awaiting evaluation and focus mainly on the liver, kidneys, and digestive system.
Treats dyspepsia
Artichoke leaves are highly effective in facilitating digestion and relieving dyspepsia. This refers to a range of digestive pain or discomfort linked to improper functioning of the gallbladder and liver. Its leaves, rich in cynarin, notably stimulate bile production and thereby promote the digestion of fats. Studies have been conducted to confirm this beneficial effect, and the European Commission now recognizes their use.
Stimulates the liver
Thanks to cynarin and chlorogenic acid, the artichoke has purifying and choleretic properties. It stimulates bile secretion by the liver and thus promotes the elimination of harmful toxins. Regular consumption of artichoke extracts may help protect the liver and relieve symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Further research is needed to confirm the role of the artichoke in treating liver disease.
Relieves irritable bowel syndrome
Thanks to its antispasmodic properties, artichoke extract may help treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), also known as spastic colon syndrome. Some studies conducted among people with IBS have shown that daily consumption of artichoke extracts reduced IBS symptoms and improved their quality of life.
Diuretic and appetite-suppressing
Thanks to its inulin content and richness in potassium, it is believed to have a mild diuretic effect and therefore facilitate renal and urinary elimination. A detox ally, it is also an excellent food to include in a healthy diet. Rich in fiber and low in calories, it may contribute to feelings of satiety without leading to excessive calorie consumption.
Regulates bowel movements
Thanks to its high fiber content, the artichoke supports digestive system health, facilitates intestinal transit, and may even help fight colon cancer. Inulin, a dietary fiber that acts as a prebiotic, helps rebalance the intestinal flora by promoting the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria, thereby relieving constipation and diarrhea.
Cardioprotective
Three clinical trials conducted in the 2000s showed that certain compounds in the artichoke, such as luteolin and inulin, may help regulate blood lipids by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL), thereby preventing atherosclerosis.
Precautions
The results of numerous studies support the use of the artichoke for its various benefits, but they remain insufficient to clearly conclude that it is effective.
Depending on the desired benefit, the recommended doses of artichoke extracts vary. This is why it is recommended that you seek your doctor’s advice before beginning a course. All the more so because its consumption may sometimes cause temporary side effects such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, or flatulence.
Although the artichoke is a harmless vegetable that is excellent for health, taking it in the form of dietary supplements should be avoided in certain specific cases. It is therefore important to exercise caution regarding its consumption. Because of its choleretic action, artichoke leaf extract is strongly discouraged for people prone to gallstones, biliary lithiasis, or obstructed bile ducts. A few cases of allergies have also been reported. Therefore, people allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family may experience reactions to the artichoke. Finally, pregnant women and young children should avoid daily supplementation.
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