Last weekend I had the most delicious artichoke and broad bean salad and it spurred me into thinking about the health benefits of artichoke. More and more people are taking a supplement of artichoke leaf extract for a variety of reasons. Artichoke leaf extract is made from the thistle-like leaves at the base of the stem of the Globe Artichoke (botanical name Cynara scolymus) and not from the (very tasty!) artichoke heart that we use in cooking.
Quite a lot of recent research into artichoke leaf extract in the UK has come from the University of Reading and has mostly concentrated on the positive effects of the herb on the digestive system. Studies have indicated that it may alleviate irritable bowel syndrome(1, 2) and indigestion(3,4).
However, the latest research, published online last month, has found that artichoke leaf extract is also very effective at reducing cholesterol levels(5). Many people are now taking statins in order to try and reduce their high cholesterol levels. Taking steps through diet, exercise and perhaps supplements, before cholesterol levels reach a high could help to reduce the need for drugs (it is my personal opinion that prevention is always better than cure). This piece of research is important because the study involved healthy people who had only moderately raised blood plasma cholesterol levels (not yet needing drugs) and it was found that the artichoke leaf extract was helpful in reducing their blood cholesterol concentrations.
The trial involved 75 individuals with total plasma cholesterol in the range 6.0–8.0 mmol/l and lasted 12 weeks. The participants took 1280 mg of a standardised artichoke leaf extract (4 capsules), or a placebo each day. Plasma total cholesterol decreased significantly in the treatment group (compared to the placebo) by an average of 4.2%. This may seem like a modest change but it is favourable and certainly significant.
Dr Rafe Bundy, the lead study scientist, is quoted as saying “Reducing cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Our research investigated whether ALE [artichoke leaf extract] could be beneficial to otherwise healthy people who had raised levels of cholesterol but were not yet at a stage where they needed standard medical intervention. ALE may provide another option which people could try over and above a healthy diet in order to help lower plasma cholesterol.”
Artichoke leaf extract may be having an effect via antioxidant action, though the exact mechanism is not clear. The extract contains a variety of polyphenols/flavonoids (bio-active plant chemicals) such as Caffeic Acid, Chlorogenic Acid and a group of compounds collectively called Caffeoylquiinic Acids (e.g. Cynarin), these are probably the active substances responsible for the beneficial health effects.
Artichoke leaf extract is widely available as a supplement and often supplements are standardised to contain around 15% Chlorogenic Acid and 2-5% Cynarin. Typically around 600mg-900mg per day is recommended (check the recommended dose on the label) for improved digestion and cholesterol lowering.
(1) Walker AF et al. 2001. Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study. Phytotherapy Research. 15(1):58-61.
(2)Bundy R et al. 2004. Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and improves quality of life in otherwise healthy volunteers suffering from concomitant dyspepsia: a subset analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 10(4):667-669.
(3)Marakis G et al. 2002. Artichoke leaf extract reduces mild dyspepsia in an open study. Phytomedicine. 9(8):694-699.
(4) Holtmann G et al. 2003. Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo-controlled, double-
blind, multicentre trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 18(11-12):1099-1105.
(5)Bundy R et al. 2008. Artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) reduces plasma cholesterol in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine [Epub ahead of print DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2008.03.001 doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2008.03.001]
Written by Ani Kowal