By Rachel Levin from Gayot.com

Despite its thorny exterior, research suggests that every effort should be made – by men and women alike – to enjoy Artichokes. Their nutritional and antioxidant properties make Artichokes natural antidotes to a host of ailments including heart disease, cancer and birth defects.

Artichokes’ antioxidant punch may be one of the reasons that their consumption has been linked with improved heart health. Antioxidants protect against the oxidation of cholesterol, thereby warding off arteriosclerosis. Concentrated in the leaves of the artichoke, the antioxidants cynarin and silymarin help support healthy liver function. These phytonutrients may boost the regeneration of liver cells and decrease blood cholesterol levels by speeding up its excretion. Because of Artichokes’ benefits for the liver, it has long been considered a remedy for treating hepatitis.

Artichokes promote general health with their balance of nutrients. They are high in potassium, which protects against kidney stones. They are also a good source of folic acid, which is especially important for women of childbearing age since deficiencies have been linked to birth defects. The vitamin C in Artichokes adds to their cancer-fighting potential.

The antioxidants found in Artichokes are believed to help protect the body from free-radical damage.

Harmful free radicals are toxic molecules of oxygen that damage every area of the body. A free radical is an unstable incomplete molecule because it is missing an electron which exists in pair in stable molecules. Free radicals steal an electron from another molecule, thereby create another free radical. This new free radical then duplicates the process, resulting in a chain reaction of events, which can ultimately damage the body.

Antioxidants work by binding to the free radicals, transforming them into non-damaging compounds or repairing cellular damage.