The Benefits of an Artichoke

Artichoke Facts

* Clinical trials show that eating artichokes helps treat chronic digestive complaints including stomach aches,  flatulence, and irritable bowel.

* They are useful in treating specific liver/gallbladder conditions with elevated blood fat values by promoting bile flow in the body, increasing fat digestion and protecting the intestinal mucosa.

* They have been proven to be a safe, non-toxic, natural way to prevent and treat high cholesterol.

* Artichokes have been shown to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol).

* Artichokes are high in antioxidants, making them a good aid in the battle against cancer, aging, heart disease.

* Artichokes are packed with vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

* Artichokes contains Quercetin which is an anti-carcinogen flavonoid that works as an antioxidant to protect against cancer and heart disease.

* Artichokes contain Rutin a flavonoid which encourages cardiovascular health, helps prevent cell proliferation associated with cancer, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties.

* Artichokes contain Anthocyanins which are powerful antioxidants. They are associated with a lower risk of certain cancers, urinary tract health, memory function and healthy aging.

* Artichokes contain Gallic Acid which is a potent antioxidant. It has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation in prostate cancer cells.

* Artichokes contain Luteolin and Cynarin which are polyphenol antioxidants that may lower cholesterol levels. Cyanarin may help in regeneration of liver tissue.

* Artichokes contain Caffeic Acid and Chlorogenic Acid which are anti-cancer, antimicrobial, anti-LDL (bad cholesterol) and antiviral properties.

* Artichokes contain Silymarin which is a powerful antioxidant that might aid the liver in regenerative tissue growth.

Bottom Line: Eat an artichoke today!

Here are some Recipes

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Potato and Artichoke Casserole

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Kale Artichoke Dip

Get Recipe Here

Summertime Frittata Recipe with Artichoke, Tomato & Basil
Get Recipe Here

Parmesan Stuffed Artichokes
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Light Spinach and Artichoke Dip

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Spinach Artichoke Hummus
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Roman Style Artichokes
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Quinoa Vegetable Paella
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Click on food to decide what you would like to juice.

Alfalfa Artichoke Beets Broccoli Carrots Celery Cranberries Cucumbers Green Apples Kale Pineapple

The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen

Do you ever wonder what the most pesticide laden fruits and veggie actually are? Do you think you are eating healthily just because you added some fruits and veggies into your diet. Well, check out this chart first and make sure what you are eating is not poisoning you.

These suggestions were taken from: Environmental Working Group

These were the foods recommended to have the least pesticides after testing by the EWG but I would be careful still. Check our your local sources for food, are they coming from organic farmers? The EWG listed sweet corn on their "Clean" list but after research I have found that a lot of corn is GMO.

Read More About the Safetly of Corn

So to be safe buy organically as much as you can. Not eveyrthing you need will always be available in the organic section, so make sure to wash yor fruits and veggies good.

Here are some environmentally friendly products below. 

Corn Healthy or Dangerous?

There is nothing like a corn on the grill on a hot summer day, right? It has always been a favorite of most Americans. So when I started hearing about corn not being good for you and about it being genetically engineered, I just felt sad. Why do these companies like Monsato have to mess with mother nature? Why? I was really hoping that I would look further into it, and it would just be fear mongering among the online healthy eating extremists. But sadly not, I posted below what I found. 

Facts About Corn

* In 2012 large quantities of GMO sweet corn appeared on grocery store shelves and roadside produce stands. 

* In 2011, Monsanto announced plans to grow genetically modified sweet corn on 250,000 acres, roughly accounting for 40 percent of the sweet corn market, to be used for frozen and canned corn products, and is also available fresh across the country.

* GMO sweet corn is genetically engineered to be herbicide resistant (Roundup Ready) and to produce its own insecticide (Bt Toxin)

* Biotech is now taking over the sweet corn market.

* Evidence gathered from fields in two Illinois counties suggests that pest problems are mounting as the rootworms grow ever more resistant to efforts to fight them. Read More Here

* You can download this letter and send it to your local farmer.  Download a letter template for farmers

* Download this letter to send to your local retail stores near you. 

 Download the retailer flyer (PDF)

And if that didn't convince you, maybe this will.

A picture released by the Committee for Research and Independent Information on Genetic Engineering (CRIIGEN) shows a combination image featuring rats with tumors after they were fed a diet of genetically modified (GM) maize produced by US chemical giant Monsanto. Picture: CRIIGENSource: Supplied
Read More in This Article

What exactly does GMO mean?

Photo Source: Seedsnow.com. Please Check out this website to find out why GMO is so bad.