Nutrition Spotlight: Artichoke

Artichokes are in season! There's much to love about artichokes. They can be eaten from the leaves to the heart, and they are nutritional powerhouses.

Artichokes are high in fiber, making them great for regulating cholesterol properly. They are also rich in inulin, a well-studied prebiotic that can support the digestive system and gut health. Artichokes are also a great source of protein, folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, magnesium, and even iron.

If that all wasn't enough, artichokes have a high oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) score, which means they have a powerful ability to fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body. In fact, artichokes — when boiled or steamed — rank the highest of vegetables in antioxidant capacity! One of the antioxidants artichokes are especially rich in is chlorogenic acid, which studies suggest can reduce the risk of certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

While you may love artichoke hearts, I recommend eating the leaves too as the leaves are where many nutrients of the artichoke are stored.