11 Amazing Artichoke Leaf Extract Benefits

Artichokes are a popular choice among health-conscious, plant-forward dieters because of their high nutritional value. They’re loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, all of which offer some significant health benefits.

But what if the artichoke itself wasn’t the most potent part of the vegetable? What if, in fact, you could improve your health even more effectively by eating the artichoke leaf, which contains more concentrated compounds than the artichoke heart?

In this post, we’re going to take a deep dive into the many benefits of artichoke leaf.

We’ll look at what artichoke leaf extract is and how it’s made, then list all the ways this extract can improve your health.

We’ll also take the time to explore possible risks, side effects, and medication interactions, as well as who might stand to gain the most from taking artichoke leaf extract.

By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what artichoke is, what it can do for you, and why you should consider taking it starting today!

What is The Extract of Artichoke Leaf?

Artichoke leaf extract is usually produced using water or alcohol-based extractions.

It is also sometimes made by [1] extracting the water soluble nutrients from the artichoke leaves, dissolving and mechanically separating them, heat-treating them, and pressing to remove the fluids. What’s left behind is then freeze-dried to produce the final extract product, which is typically encapsulated or turned into a pill.

Artichoke leaf extract can be made using either fresh or dried artichoke leaves. Both of them contain many vitamins and nutrients that make them a superfood.

Health Benefits of Artichoke Leaf Extract

Artichoke leaf extract can improve your health and wellbeing by providing you with a hefty dose of crucial nutrients.

Whole artichokes are loaded with:

• Fiber;
• Folate;
• Copper;
• Vitamin C;
• Magnesium;
• Niacin;
• Vitamin B6;
• Potassium;
• Riboflavin;
• Phosphorus;
• and many other nutrients.

All of these micronutrients are crucial for your health, and can provide a lot of benefits (as you’ll see below).

Supports Liver Health and Detoxification

Artichokes and artichoke leaf extract are both known to be hepatoprotective and offer amazing health benefits for your liver.

Research [2] shows that artichoke extract can reduce inflammation, regulate the production of liver enzymes, provide an antioxidant effect, and decrease liver damage. In cases of hepatotoxicity, it can support detoxification pathways which reduce toxins, and helps restore normal liver function.

The anti-inflammatory properties of artichoke leaf extract make it useful for combatting fatty liver disease (which has now been renamed to “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease”). It can promote the growth of new liver tissue, increase bile production to flush toxins and fats from the liver, and prevent liver damage.

Promotes Digestive Comfort and Function

Artichokes and artichoke leaf extracts are both rich in a form of fiber called inulin.

Inulin is a prebiotic that feeds your gut bacteria, providing them with the food they need to flourish. One study [3] found that just three weeks of consuming inulin from artichoke extract led to significant improvements in gut function and gut microbiome health.

By feeding the bacteria that live in your digestive tract, you can decrease bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, and increase your gut’s immune function. You also improve digestive health and facilitate the breakdown of nutrients.

More importantly, diets high in fiber like those containing inulin can be associated with a reduced risk of certain bowel cancers.

In cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS -a functional gastrointestinal disorder), the anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects of artichoke can be a game-changer. Multiple clinical studies [4,5] demonstrate that artichoke leaf extract can reduce irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, decrease pain and discomfort, and improve quality of life.

Helps Lower Bad Cholesterol Levels (LDL)

Research [6] shows that artichoke leaf extract can be helpful for lowering cholesterol, including LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

Artichoke extracts contain luteolin, a potent antioxidant that can curb the production of LDL cholesterol. The extract may also improve your body’s ability to utilize and process cholesterol, which in turn leads to lower cholesterol levels overall.

There is evidence [7] that artichoke leaf extract may help lower LDL cholesterol though not to the same extent as statins.

Enhances Heart Health and Circulation

The high cholesterol-reducing effects of artichoke leaf extract will contribute to better overall cardiovascular health.

With less cholesterol floating around in your bloodstream, it’s less likely for your arterial walls to be coated with plaque (which is effective oxidized cholesterol). Artichoke leaf extract may help lower both your systolic and diastolic blood pressure, potentially by influencing vasodilation through pathways like the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) enzyme. It’s also rich in potassium, which is crucial for regulating blood pressure.

This may reduce the strain high blood pressure places on artery walls by lowering the risk of damage that contributes to heart attack and/or stroke.

The reduction in cholesterol can also protect against atherosclerosis, or arterial narrowing. The fact that there’s less cholesterol floating around means plaques are less likely to form in the arteries.

Overall, it will reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and keep your heart functioning optimally for years to come!

Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Scientific research [8] suggests that artichoke leaf extract can have a positive effect on your blood sugar levels.

The extract contains dietary fiber, which can slow the absorption of sugars in your gut and may support more stable blood sugar levels. This leads to a lower production of glucose to be released in your bloodstream.

Furthermore, by improving liver function, you also facilitate more effective regulation of blood sugars.

However, further research is needed to establish a more concrete link between artichoke supplementation and improved blood sugar regulation.

Rich in Antioxidants: Fighting Free Radicals

Artichokes are rich in antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds, including gallic acid, quercetin, silymarin, luteolin, and rutin.

These antioxidants are capable of combatting free radicals and protecting against oxidative stress. Preliminary research indicates [9] that there are possible anti-cancer benefits thanks to the high antioxidant content of artichoke leaf extract. However, further data is required to establish this fact definitively.

Aids in Weight Management

Artichoke leaf extract may be a useful weight loss tool!

Animal studies [10] suggest that the artichoke extract may help improve markers of metabolic syndrome, reduced waist circumference, and decreased blood fat and sugar levels. Obese rats fed a high-fat diet and given artichoke extract showed signs of weight reduction in some studies.

While the lack of human studies makes this claim hard to back up, just knowing it’s a possibility definitely makes it a supplement worth exploring further.

Stimulates Bile Production for Fat Digestion

In addition to reducing liver inflammation, artichoke leaf extract can stimulate the production of bile in the liver. An increase in bile production can aid in lipid metabolism, as bile is needed to break down and process fats.

As a side benefit, bile helps the body excrete waste products processed by the liver. This, in combination with its anti-inflammatory effects, makes artichoke leaf extract truly amazing for improving liver health.

Provides Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The antioxidants in artichoke extract have powerful anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in the liver.

Research [11] discovered that this supplement “suppressed inflammation and apoptosis caused by H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells.”

This makes it highly potential for supporting inflammation reduction caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. That said, more clinical trials are needed.

Improves Skin Health and Appearance

Artichoke leaf extract has long been one of the more popular “anti-aging” supplements.

It’s particularly potent for improving skin health. One study [12] found that the micronutrients in artichoke leaf extract reduced inflammation of the skin, enhanced circulation, and improved overall skin texture.

The supplement was associated with reduced skin roughness and less wrinkles, enhancing elasticity and freshness.

For those who are trying to fight the more visible effects of aging, creams and serums containing artichoke leaf extract may be excellent additions to your skincare routine.

Boosts Immune System Function

It’s estimated [13] that anywhere from 70% to 80% of your body’s immune activity takes place in your gut.

Immune cells in the intestinal mucosa, the protective epithelial layer, and gut bacteria work together to defend against pathogens and toxins. This system provides a large part of the body’s resistance to disease and infection.

The fact that artichoke leaf extract improves gut health and feeds your gut bacteria makes it an excellent supplement for better immune health. Add in its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and it becomes a promising addition l for more efficient immune protection.

Recommended Daily Intake and Dosage

The average dose of artichoke leaf extract provided by the majority of capsules and pills on the market today provide anywhere from 320 to 640 milligrams. Typically, these supplements are taken 2-3 times per day.

The studies done into artichoke leaf extract varied wildly in the amounts utilized—anywhere from 50 mg to 2,700 mg per day.

It’s best to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before taking this supplement to determine the ideal dosage for your specific needs and overall health.

Possible Side Effects and Precautions

Artichokes are considered “likely safe” for consumption, though some people experience intestinal discomfort, gas, or bloating due to high prebiotic fiber content, fructans and inulin.

Also, people sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family may experience an allergic reaction. Some common members of this family include daisies, marigolds, and ragweed. People allergic to these may experience allergic reactions when eating artichokes or artichoke leaf extracts.

Artichoke leaf extract is considered “possibly safe” for use up to 6-12 weeks at a time (the duration of the longest clinical trials into its beneficial effects).

A lack of concrete information about the side effects of artichoke leaf extract on pregnant and breastfeeding mothers means it’s best to avoid taking this supplement in such conditions.

Interactions with Medications

Certain medications that affect liver function or which are metabolized by the liver may have negative interactions with artichokes and artichoke leaf extracts.

This includes:

• Antidiabetes drugs, which may, in tandem with artichoke leaf extract, lower blood sugar levels dangerously.
• Antihypertensive drugs, which may, in tandem with artichoke leaf extract, lower blood pressure to critical levels.
• Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) substrates, such as Nevirapine, Cyclophosphamide, Ketamine, and Propofol.
• Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates, such as the antidepressants citalopram and clomipramine, PPIs like pantoprazole and lansoprazole, diazepam, and antimalarial drugs.

Who May Benefit from Artichoke Leaf Extract

The truth is that many people can benefit from taking artichoke supplements.

As you saw above, the list of numerous health benefits is impressively long—including reduced risk of heart disease , increased antioxidant activity for better immune protection, healthier and fresher skin, more support for weight management, blood sugar, and blood pressure management.

If you’re someone who wants to improve your health using an all-natural, highly effective supplement in any of the ways mentioned in this article, artichoke leaf extract may be one very much worth considering.

Artichoke leaf extract is also a key ingredient in Zonia’a Restore Detox supplement – a formula that promotes a systemic body detox, significant toxin release, and deep support for your liver and kidneys.

To further support your liver and assist your natural detox pathways, you should consider herbal supplementation. We partnered with environmental toxin specialists and supplement formulators to create the best formula on the market that supports your liver and kidneys detox organs in a safe way – it’s called Restore Detox.

How does it work? We selected the most potent 6 detoxifiers, which have been used for centuries. 

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Click here to learn more about Restore Detox and find out how it can change your future for the better by boosting your body’s natural detoxification pathways and helping you to live your best, youngest, and healthiest life!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is milk thistle or artichoke extract better for the liver?

Milk thistle contains silymarin while artichoke leaf extract contains other antioxidants such as cynarin and luteolin , which have powerful anti-toxin and anti-inflammatory effects that can protect your liver and improve hepatic function. While both show positive therapeutic effects, more studies have been done into milk thistle as it relates specifically for your liver health, and thus is a more reliable liver supplement.

Is artichoke good for your kidneys?

Artichokes are rich in antioxidants, potassium, and fiber, all of which support, not just your kidneys, but your holistic health. Potassium, especially, can promote diuresis (increasing the production of urine to eliminate wastes), supporting removal of toxins from your kidneys which may help prevent kidney disease.

Is too much artichoke bad for you?

The high fiber content of artichokes—particularly the prebiotic fibers, fructans and inulin—may lead to bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and/or stomach upset if consumed in excess. People with digestive sensibilities or IBS may find themselves experiencing discomfort after eating artichokes. However, the amount of artichoke the average person would have to eat to experience real side effects—or even dangers—is high enough that it’s not a significant concern. Artichoke is likely safe if consumed in moderation.

Resources

Artichoke – Uses, Side Effects, and More

What Is Artichoke Extract?

What are the benefits of artichoke extract?

Pharmacological Studies of Artichoke Leaf Extract and Their Health Benefits