Artichokes Are A Strange But Healthy Food

Title:Artichokes Are A Strange But Healthy FoodWord Count:853Summary:Artichokes have been around for a long time, but did you know how nutritionally benificialthey are?Keywords:artichokes,artichoke,cholesterol,liver,the artichoke,ancient romans,produce enoughbile,glucose,bileArticle Body:Artichokes have been around for a long time. Originally found around the Mediterranean Sea,they were used by the ancient Romans to treat poor digestion.Somewhere along the line, the Romans realized artichokes also made great appetizers, and theyhave been a traditional Italian food ever since.The Latin name for this greenish-purple vegetable is Cynara scolymus. Sometimes calledFrench or Globe artichoke, it's the flower of the plant that is sold in grocery stores. But don'tconfuse it with the Jerusalem artichoke, which is really a tuber that grows in North America.One medium artichoke supplies 20 percent of the vitamin C you need for the day. With only 60calories, it's also a good source of potassium and magnesium, both important for a healthy heart.And like most fruits and vegetables, it's packed with disease-fighting antioxidants thatnutritionists rave about.3 ways artichokes keep you healthySteps up digestion.As it turns out, the ancient Romans were onto something when it comes to artichokes anddigestion. An ingredient in artichoke leaves helps your liver form bile - something necessary forgood digestion. If your liver doesn't produce enough bile, your food doesn't get broken downproperly, and you end up with stomach pains and indigestion.

If you feel sick to your stomach, overly full, and have abdominal pain after eating anormal-sized meal, you may suffer from dyspepsia - a fancy name for poor digestion.Several scientific studies showed dramatic improvements in people with dyspepsia after beingtreated with artichoke extracts. You can also get help for your indigestion the way the ancientRomans did - by eating a delicious artichoke with your dinner.Chokes out heart disease.Bile from your liver does more than help you digest food. It also helps break down cholesterolfrom the fat you eat. But a liver that doesn't produce enough bile lets too much cholesterol getby - kind of like the I Love Lucy episode where the chocolate assembly line starts moving toofast for her to keep up. People with liver problems can have high cholesterol even if they eat alow-fat diet.That's where artichokes come in. Because they can help you make more bile, you might be ableto lower your cholesterol by eating them. A study in Germany showed that taking artichokeextract for six weeks caused LDL cholesterol, the bad kind, to fall by more than 22 percent. Asa bonus, artichokes might also be able to block some new cholesterol from forming in yourliver.Lowers blood sugar.Your liver is busier than you might think. In addition to breaking down fatty foods, it also storesextra glucose (sugar) in the form of glycogen and turns it back into glucose whenever it gets aphone call from your blood saying that supplies are too low. This is a great system in a perfectlyworking body. But some people have faulty phone lines, and their livers work day and nightcranking out glucose their blood doesn't need. This overproduction of glucose can lead todiabetes and other health problems.In animal studies, researchers found that substances in artichokes kept livers from making toomuch glucose. More studies need to be done, but scientists think artichokes might someday beuseful to people with noninsulin-dependent diabetes. In the future, people might use plants, likeartichokes, to keep their blood sugar production in check.Pantry pointersChoose artichokes with even, green color. Don't buy any that look wilted, dried out, or moldy.Heavy, small heads are best.Small artichokes are good for appetizers, and larger ones can be used for stuffing with a varietyof fillings and served as an entree.Be sure to trim about an inch off the top with a sharp knife. And then trim about one-quarterinch from the tips of the leaves since this part is inedible and rough on your hands.Artichokes can be steamed in a steamer basket or boiled in water. They should be tender andready to eat in about 30 minutes. If you're in a hurry, you can microwave them more quickly.First, rinse them with water to add some moisture. Then wrap each one in microwaveableplastic wrap. For four artichokes, microwave on high for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meaty

part at the base of the artichoke is tender.You can serve these veggies hot or cold. Some people serve a dipping sauce with artichokes. Itwould be a shame to ruin a lowfat food with a rich sauce, so try a low-calorie, yogurt-based dip.If you've never eaten an artichoke, you might be a little confused about what part is edible. Theouter leaves are hard and a little bitter, but at the bottom of the leaf, where they pull away fromthe stem, there is a soft, velvety hunk of \"meat\" that you can eat by gently pulling the leafthrough your teeth. After you've nibbled all the leaves this way, you're left with the best part ofthe artichoke - the heart. This is a soft, nutty-flavored center that can be eaten whole. Just scrapeoff the soft fuzz with a spoon before you dig in.Title:Healthy Hair Support for WomenWord Count:313Summary:Why go to the extent of all those medical costs when you can do it cheaper and safer the naturalway. For the first time in the history of mankindit is now possible to stop or slow the progression of hair loss and to replace lost hair throughsurgery with completely natural results. Unlike many of the hair loss products available today,provillus is entirely natural and free from chemicals that can harm your hair. It is far cheaperthan the alternatives and it offers a 6 month guarantee.Keywords:thinning hair in women, causes of thinning hair in women, what causes thinning hair in women,hair thinning in women,Article Body:Why go to the extent of all those medical costs when you can do it cheaper and safer the naturalway. For the first time in the history of mankindit is now possible to stop or slow the progression of hair loss and to replace lost hair throughsurgery with completely natural results. We have discovered an all-natural herbal hair lossproduct called Provillus. In addition to helping with scalp hair regrowth, these naturaltreatments often have other health benefits as well.Hair thinning is emotionally stressful for most of the 43 million women over age 18 whoexperience it. Hair thinning is usually triggered by acombination of hormonal activity and genetics, which together cause the hair follicles in thescalp to shrink. Hair loss is probably the lastthing that you expected saw palmetto to be associated with, but as of late there have been manytreatments out there that have been designed toalleviate the symptoms of hair loss and help re grow hair and this is just one of them. Provillusis the best option we have seen for scalp hair

regrowth. However, with hair loss in women the hair thins in a very diffuse manner; female hairloss is evenly distributed over the scalp.Rated NO.1 Hair Loss Treatment for Women on the Market,!*- Helps prevent hair loss and re-grow hair*- Rejuvenates hair follicles*- No Chemicals, No Creams*- No Side Effects, Including No Sexual Side Effects*- Manufactured in 100% FDA Standard Conditions*- Discreet Shipping & Billing Worldwide*- 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed*- No Prescription NecessaryProvillus for Women promotes hair follicle growth, thereby supporting hair re-growth. It keepsthe hair healthy and full-bodied by supplying adequate nutrients. Unlike many of the hair lossproducts available today, provillus is entirely natural and free from chemicals that can harmyour hair. It is far cheaper than the alternatives and it offers a 6 month money back guarantee.Title:Prepare Healthy Meals In MinutesWord Count:284Summary:Obesity is one of the most talked about health issues today. Since 1980, overweight rates havedoubled among adults and children and tripled among adolescents, according to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention.Keywords:Prepare Healthy Meals In MinutesArticle Body:Obesity is one of the most talked about health issues today. Since 1980, overweight rates havedoubled among adults and children and tripled among adolescents, according to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention.Regular exercise and good nutrition are at the heart of staying healthy, reducing the risk of heartdisease, diabetes and obesity. But eating right can be a challenge in today's fast-paced world.With a bit of creativity and professional-style equipment, preparing healthy, delicious food isfaster and easier than it may seem. Here are tips for using blenders in the Vita-Mix ProfessionalSeries to easily create flavorful, nutritious meals and snacks:

* Fresh fruits are an essential part of a healthy diet, and they're easy to incorporate into yourdaily routine. Make a fresh fruit smoothie for breakfast instead of a sweet roll, or try a smoothiefor an evening snack instead of ice cream, cookies or chips.閑* Soup made with fresh ingredients can make a light but satisfying entr . Using acommercial-grade blender, you can create a variety of recipes in minutes - from a heart-healthytomato soup to a delicious squash soup - and add more vegetables to your diet.* The USDA food pyramid recommends 5 to 8 ounces of grains per day, with an emphasis onwhole grains. The Vita-Mix Professional Series cracks whole grains into flour for creatingdelicious cereals, pancakes and healthy homemade breads.* With childhood obesity a growing concern, parents can prepare baby food at home using fresh,flavorful and healthy ingredients. When you make it yourself, you know exactly what is in it.* Offer fresh and healthy appetizer options at a party. Salsa or red pepper hummus on summersquash rounds are tasty ways to celebrate any occasion.