0 The New Complete Book of Food
cynaropicrin, a form of cynarin found in artichoke leaves, might act as an anti-inflamma-
tory agent, protecting the skin from sun damage, improving liver function, and reducing the
effects of stress-related gastritis.
Reduced levels of cholesterol. In 2008, researchers at the University of Reading (United King-
dom) published a report in the journal Phytomedicine detailing the results of a 150-person
study suggesting that an over-the-counter herbal supplement containing extract of globe arti-
choke leaf lowers cholesterol in healthy people with moderately raised cholesterol readings.
In the study, 75 volunteers were given 1,280 mg of the herbal supplement each day for 12
weeks; a control group got a placebo (a look-alike pill without the herbal supplement). At the
end of the trial, those who took the artichoke leaf extract experienced an average 4.2 percent
decrease in cholesterol levels, a result the researchers deemed “modest but significant.”Adverse Effects Associated with This Food
Contact dermatitis. Globe artichokes contain essential oils that may cause contact dermati-
tis in sensitive people.
Alterations in the sense of taste. Globe artichokes contain cynarin, a sweet tasting chemical
that dissolves in water (including the saliva in your mouth) to sweeten the flavor of anything
you eat next.Food/Drug Interactions
False-positive test for occult blood in the stool. The guaiac slide test for hidden blood in feces
relies on alphaguaiaconic acid, a chemical that turns blue in the presence of blood. Arti-
chokes contain peroxidase, a natural chemical that also turns alphaguaiaconic acid blue and
may produce a positive test in people who do not have blood in the stool.