Cardoons are some of the most attractive vegetables on the face of the planet, courtesy of their head-turning purple flowers. But despite of looking pretty, cardoons are actually a toughie when it comes to defending the body against many problems that may strike. Read on to know about these super nutritious vegetables.
It is said that cardoons are Mediterranean in origin. However, they can also be found in so many other areas. In Argentina, Australia and the US, unfortunately, cardoons are regarded as weeds as they tend to multiply really quickly. Well, that’s great news for health conscious people who are looking for cheap and readily accessible vegetables to eat!
The flower buds of cardoons are the ones that are mostly consumed. They kind of look like artichokes, and they taste like them, too! Cardoon flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked.
But other than the flower buds, it’s also possible to have the stems consumed as vegetables. However, they cannot be eaten raw as they tend to be very tough and stringy — they need to be blanched or boiled before serving. Similarly, cardoon roots may also be added to the diet provided that they are cooked very well.
The seeds of cardoons also yield oil, which is said to be similar to that of sunflower oil. So needless to say, it’s commonly used for cooking purposes as well as for manufacturing various skin products.
Now that you are acquainted with cardoons, it’s time for us to get to know some of the health benefits that they are known to provide. Here are the reasons why you should add them to your diet if you ever come across them:
Improved Digestion
Just like so many other vegetables out there, cardoons are especially loaded with fiber. This is the reason why having them added to your diet on a regular basis can help improve the process of digestion, allowing your body to absorb as much of the nutrients in the food you eat as possible.
Since they are rich in fiber, cardoons can help in keeping constipation at bay. Their regular consumption as well as other fiber-rich foods may reduce colon cancer risk, say medical experts.
Optimized Heart Health
Thanks to the impressive fiber content of cardoons, eating them can help lower bad cholesterol levels. As a result, your chance of suffering from heart disease may be considerably lowered.
Here’s another reason why the intake of cardoons is good for your ticker: they contain good amounts of potassium. It’s no secret that potassium can help in lowering the blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to widen. Doctors say that uncontrolled blood pressure is something that can put your cardiovascular health in danger.
Healthy Skin
According to experts, there are a couple of reasons why cardoons are superb for the skin. First, they contain vitamin C which is important for proper wound healing. The said nutrient also helps slow down skin aging because it is an antioxidant, plus it is needed by the body for the synthesis of collagen that helps prevent wrinkles.
Cardoons also have omega-3 fatty acids in them that serve as anti-inflammatory agents. This is the reason why those who have acne, psoriasis and eczema can benefit from the consumption of cardoons.
Toughened Bones
There’s also calcium present in every serving of cardoons. So in other words, regularly eating these vegetables can help in lowering a person’s risk of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by bone weakening.
However, it’s not just calcium in cardoons that help make your bones really strong. Nutrition experts say that phosphorus and magnesium present in cardoons work together with calcium in fighting off osteoporosis. The blood pressure-lowering mineral potassium is an important role player, too!
Do you have family members or friends who are always searching for nutritious vegetables to add to their healthy diet? Then get them introduced to cardoons by having this article shared on your different social media sites!
