Benefits of Artichoke

Artichoke is a plant with very high nutritional value. For girls who love beauty, eating artichoke can protect the skin and make women's complexion moisturized. In fact, artichokes have many benefits and can quench thirst and relieve hangovers. At the same time, artichokes can be eaten in a variety of ways. They can be made into tea or eaten with some poultry meat. Many people may not know that artichokes can actually be eaten raw.

Characteristics and properties of artichokes: well-developed root system. The plant height is about 1.2m. The pinnate lobes are large and thick, densely covered with fine hairs, and have many branches. Fat and tender buds grow at the ends of the branches between June and July. The buds on the main stem are the largest and are called king buds. Generally, each plant has 3-8 flower buds, which are purple-green in color. About 40% of the inner bracts are tender. The edible part of a flower bud is about 15-50g. The seeds are similar to wheat seeds, flat and oval, white in color, and the thousand-grain weight is about 44g. Generally, the yield is highest in 2-3 year old plants, and they need to be renewed after 4 years. The above-ground part dies in winter, and new plants sprout in the spring of the following year. It likes a warm and cool climate, can tolerate short-term light frost, likes humidity and avoids dryness and heat. Loose and well-drained loam or clay loam is preferred. It requires sufficient sunlight, especially when the flower stems are growing. If the weather is clear, the flower stems and buds will grow thicker and more numerous.

Benefits of Artichoke

1. Pharmacological value of artichoke:

Artichokes are rich in nutrients. Every 100 grams of edible part contains 80.5 grams of water, 0.2 grams of fat, 2.8 grams of protein, 9.9 grams of carbohydrates, 160 mg of vitamin A, 8 mg of vitamin C, 51 mg of calcium, 69 mg of phosphorus, 1.5 mg of iron, as well as cynarin, asparagine and flavonoids that are beneficial to humans. Among the therapeutic effects of artichoke, the most well-known is cynarin, a derivative of cinnamic acid.

Cynarin can: improve liver vitality, promote the elimination of toxins in the liver (such as ammonia produced by digesting protein), promote the regeneration of liver cells, increase bile secretion and fat digestion (regulate cholesterol in the body). Other therapeutic ingredients contained in artichoke include flavonoids and bitter substances. These therapeutic substances assist cynarin in protecting the liver and promoting liver detoxification. Flavonoids have beneficial physiological effects. It is quite effective against malignant cells. It has a relieving effect on vascular purpura. Regular consumption of artichokes can treat chronic hepatitis, lower cholesterol and indigestion, improve gastrointestinal function, increase bile secretion, and relieve constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc. It can stimulate the secretion of bile, prevent arteriosclerosis, and protect the heart blood.

2. Edible and health value of artichokes

Artichokes can be used as ornamental vegetables, aromatic vegetables, seasoning vegetables, health-care vegetables, and can also be eaten raw. They have a sweet and fresh taste and can also be used for hot pot. Its taste is similar to that of fresh bamboo shoots and mushrooms, and is quite delicious. It has the effect of quenching thirst and relieving alcohol. It can be stir-fried with lean meat, olive oil, lemon juice, chili, garlic, salt and other seasonings. It tastes fresh and refreshing. It can also be used as a soup ingredient and stewed or boiled with poultry meat. It is rich in nutrition, clears the liver and improves eyesight, and is good for health and beauty. Eating it can help women protect their skin and moisturize their face.

In addition to the flower buds inside the artichoke bulbs which can be eaten raw or cooked, the petals outside the buds can also be fully utilized. The peeled outer coarse fibrous petals can be dried and directly soaked in wine for consumption, or made into artichoke tea and soaked in water for drinking. It has a special floral fragrance, a refreshing taste, and a lasting sweetness. It is a unique "artichoke tea" with a distinctive floral flavor.