really? Will it help you lose weight quickly?
Eating seasonal foods is the most sustainable and cost-effective way to reap all the vitamins and benefits. nutrients fruits and vegetables.
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Of course, today we can find many foods at almost any time of the year, but they will not have a distinctive taste or texture.
And besides, they will be more expensive. Either because techniques were used to modify or alter their growth or because they were imported from anywhere in the world.
They are good for high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes… and they are also tasty and do not cause obesity.
You can use pumpkin, spinach, tangerines or beets. seasonal fruits and vegetables. And also an artichoke. Food that has two seasons: autumn and winter.
Artichoke is a vegetable that comes from a herbaceous plant of the genus Cynara and is commonly grown in temperate climates. Italy is the first producing country with almost 400,000 tons, followed by Egypt, Spain, Peru, Algeria and Argentina.
The edible parts are the bases of the leaves and the tubular flower bud known as the inflorescence.
Its main component is water, in addition to carbohydrates, among which fructose and fiber stand out. In that World Artichoke Day We discover all the benefits it has for our body.
What are the nutritional benefits of artichoke?
As explained by the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN), the edible part of the vegetable is 36 grams per 100 g of fresh product. And they are an excellent source of nutrients such as protein, fiber, phosphorus, potassium, sterols and cynarine.
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cynarin This compound has health benefits: it cleanses and detoxifies the liver.
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sterolswhich are also known as phytosterols, lower “bad” cholesterol without affecting “good” cholesterol.
In addition, as nutritionists note:
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“One serving of artichokes provides 20% of the recommended daily intake of phosphorus.”
Nutritional value of artichokes, per 100 grams:
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44 calories.
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2.3 grams of protein.
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7.5 grams of carbohydrates.
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2 grams of fiber.
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88.1 grams of water.
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45 milligrams of calcium.
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1.5 milligrams of iron.
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1 milligram of iodine.
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47 milligrams sodium.
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430 milligrams of potassium.
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130 milligrams phosphorus.
As well as vitamins B6, B12, C, A, D and E.
However, “the most remarkable thing about its composition is a number of substances contained in small quantities (sterols and cynarin), but which have noticeable positive physiological effects.”
A product for weight loss and combating fluid retention
The theory that almost always helps you lose weight is quite simple: eat fewer calories than you consume.
And for this reason, artichokes are a vegetable that we should all include in our diet, and, above all, in the diet of those people who want to lose weight. FEN emphasizes that “this is a very low calorie food.” it’s not a miracle.
Its weight control or weight loss properties are due to its high satiety properties and diuretic properties, that is, it prevents fluid retention, which manifests itself as bloating or bags under the eyes. This is an issue that affects many people who are confused about gender.
But the reality is that women are more prone to bloating, which is a result of fluid accumulation in the body.
Although the causes are varied, it may be due to hormonal changes that occur at different stages of life: pregnancy, adolescence or during menstruation. It can also be caused by genetic inheritance or lifestyle (sedentary lifestyle, low fiber intake…).
Artichoke – an ally in the fight against cholesterol
A study published in the scientific journal Nutrients suggests that consuming artichokes is effective in controlling cholesterol levels. According to the latest data, half the population has cholesterol high level, which is known as hypercholesterolemia. High cholesterol is defined as a situation where it exceeds 200 mg/dL.
During the investigation, which was conducted Dr. Antonella Riva, from the University of Genoa (Italy) examined 60 adults aged 18 to 65 years with overweight and mild hypercholesterolemia. Half the participants received a placebo and the rest received an anti-cholesterol supplement made from bergamot, a citrus fruit that is a cross between orange and lemon, and artichoke.
“Numerous studies have shown that bergamot extract is effective in reducing hypercholesterolemia, but a proportion of patients have a poor response and the reason for this is still unknown. As a solution to this limitation, in this study we tested a combination of botanicals (bergamot phytosomes and artichoke leaf dry extract) using a specific and precisely standardized formulation method,” explain the authors.
And after two months, the results were astounding: Participants who took bergamot and artichoke supplements were able to reduce their cholesterol levels by up to 13 mg/dL.
As for HDL cholesterol, or “good” cholesterol, it increased to an average of 4.39 mg/dL.
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It is also the key to slowing down aging.
Artichoke not only prevents all diseases that cause obesity or cardiovascular diseases, but is also a source of antioxidants that delay and fight the signs of skin aging. And this is due to the high potassium content, which, together with sodium, calcium and vitamin A, prevents early cell aging.
In fact, its benefits are such that artichoke extract is widely used in the cosmetics industry, in firming creams and serums that restore radiance to the skin by promoting blood circulation, leaving it looking younger and firmer.