i made artichokes for my clients tonight, a snack before dinner. i have always known that this beautiful vegetable was good for us, i just didn't know how good. they are loaded with health benefits. for starters, they are an excellent source of fiber. artichokes are also one of the most nutrient packed vegetables on the planet. they are an antioxidant powerhouse. they protect against cancer and heart disease. they have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties. they promote urinary tract health, memory function and healthy aging. they have been shown to inhibit cell proliferation in prostate cancer cells. they help in lowering cholesterol. artichokes also contain anti-cancer and anti-viral properties. i could go on. artichokes are in season now, so go pick up a few. look for ones that have a tight leaves and are heavy in size. i steam mine by cutting the top off about 1 inch. i take scissors and snip the points of the leaves off (i really don't know why i do this, just read many years ago i was suppose to, so, i do...). put in a steamer, cut side down, for about 25 minutes or until you can pierce the stem with a knife and it easily inserts. i eat my chokes plain, sometimes with a small bowl of lemon juice.
hey, scientists have done all the research and hard work for us, all we have to do is eat them and reap the benefits.
