Many people hate artichoke, without knowing that it is actually one of the best foods you can consume, especially if you want to lose weight and stay healthy. And it is a strange plant, not everyone knows how to prepare it, but the truth is that there is no food that complements the diet the way artichoke does.
There are a lot of reasons why artichoke should be included as soon as possible in your diet, however, one of the main ones and those that make it more attractive is that it is an important ally in weight loss, allowing you to take care of your figure while staying healthy.
The researcher of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Geology and Edaphology at the University of Murcia, Nuria García, affirms that artichoke offers health a great amount of benefits, however, there are five main reasons that should convince you to include it in your diet.
The first benefit that Garcia points out is that it helps to prevent fluid retention, thanks to a phenolitic compound that it contains called cynerin, which favors the functioning of the kidneys and acts as diuretic.
Also, an important benefit is that it contributes to the elimination of toxins, thanks to its richness in caffeic, linoleic and oleic acids, which are important components in the cleansing of the liver, because they cause the secretion of bile.
In addition, it is an important regulator of blood sugar levels, as it is rich in insulin, an essential component in maintaining blood glucose levels. That is why people who suffer from diabetes are recommended to consume artichoke regularly.
Another great benefit of artichoke is its low caloric content, making it the ideal food to control and maintain a healthy body weight. In addition, it is an excellent antioxidant and good as an anti-inflammatory thanks to its high content in cynarosides and flavonoids. It also contains vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, and carbohydrates, making it a very complete and nutritious food.
Finally, it is also necessary to emphasize that, if you suffer from constipation, artichoke will be ideal to fight it, thanks to its high fiber content, which helps stimulate and improve intestinal transit, in addition to providing a feeling of fullness.
In order to make the most of the benefits of artichoke, it is necessary to include it in a balanced diet and, of course, to cook it in the right way. The most recommended is to eat artichokes raw, or cooked in the oven. You can accompany them with rice or other vegetables, or even, if you prefer, prepare a nutritious artichoke broth, whatever the way it is, the important thing is to make the most of the large amount of nutrients contained in artichoke, to begin to live a healthy life because, as they very well say, “we are what we eat”.
ALFA