Artichoke Health Benefits, Risks and Tips

The artichokes grown in the United States that make their way to your plate are cultivated in California. In fact, Castroville, California, claims to be the Artichoke Capital of the World. Artichokes, a relative to the thistle, are actually a flower bud, and blossoms can be up to 7 in (18 cm) in diameter.

Health Benefits 

Prevents skin cancer.
Artichokes are a great source of silymarin, an antioxidant that may help prevent skin cancer.

Helps indigestion.
Artichoke leaf extract may aid indigestion by increasing the flow of bile, which is needed to digest fats. Choose an extract that is standardized for caffeoylquinic acids and follow the package directions.

Health Risk 

Potential allergic reactions.
Eating artichokes may provoke allergic reaction in people sensitive to ragweed.

Eating Tips
• Bake thawed frozen hearts drizzled with olive oil and ground almonds.
• Steam trimmed globes in a quarterinch of water in a covered microwaveable dish for 5 minutes.
• Stuff hollowed globe artichokes with a turkey meat loaf mixture.

Buying Tips
• High-quality artichokes are usually compact and heavy for their size.
• When squeezed, a fresh artichoke will make a squeak.
• The thickness of each stalk should correspond to the size of the artichoke.
• Thin stalks signal dehydration, so look for stalks that are firm without “give.”

Storing Tips
• Artichokes remain fairly constant in appearance for weeks, but flavor is adversely affected from the moment they are cut.
• For maximum taste and tenderness, cook as soon as possible. • Refrigerate unwashed, in a plastic bag, for up to 1 week.

QUICK TIP:
How to eat an artichoke
To eat, pull off leaves, dip the leaves in lemon juice, and eat the fleshy ends attached to the plant. Lift out the cone and cut out the core, which is the fuzzy portion at the center. The heart is a true delicacy and will break easily with a fork.