Expect to hear quite a bit about artichoke leaf and artichoke leaf extract, which is often abbreviated to ALE. I predict that supplements containing artichoke leaf will soon be popping up everywhere. A search of PubMed using artichoke brings up a number of studies on a wide range of potential benefits. The most recent is lowering cholesterol.

The globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) is a perennial thistle and is closely related to the cardoon. Other types of thistles have been suggested to have a range of health benefits. These include milk thistle for treatment of liver diseases and burdock, which is said to be a blood purifier.

Artichoke leaf extracts are widely available in Europe. They have been sold primarily as a treatment for indigestion, some urinary problems (hyperuricemia) and gout. Recently they have been shown to have positive effects on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Globe artichokes, of course, have antioxidants. I suspect that there is not a single plant that does not have some form of antioxidant. In particular artichokes have been suggested to protect the liver from oxidative stress. Artichoke leaf extract has also been shown to limit damage form oxidative stress in high intensity physical activity.

The most recent study looked at the effects of the leaf extract on moderately increased cholesterol levels. Those that consumed 1280 mg of artichoke leaf extract for 12 weeks saw a decrease in total cholesterol. I wonder how many artichokes I would have to eat to get the equivalent amount. Probably all the butter and mayo would counteract the good effect.

photo credit: Dylan Parker

[tags]artichoke leaf, artichoke leaf extract, ALE, globe artichoke, cholesterol, antioxidant[tags]