Artichokes

Don't confuse globe artichokes with Jerusalem artichokes, which contain plentiful potassium but few other nutrients.
Globe artichokes, on the other hand, are loaded with benefits; just be sure you don't choke them in melted butter (opt for lemon juice instead).

One chemical compound in artichokes, called cynarine, stimulates the production of bile and aids digestion.
Researchers believe it also helps lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.

Another compound, silymarin, has been found to act as a potent antioxidant.
Lab studies show that it helps prevent skin cancer in lab animals, and is likely to help prevent many other forms of cancer as well; in fact, European practitioners have long used silymarin extract to treat liver cancer.

Artichokes are an excellent source of dietary fiber; a medium artichoke provides about a quarter of your daily requirement. They also provide vitamin C, magnesium, and folic acid, a B vitamin that's not only essential to prevent certain birth defects and to maintain nerve function, but is also linked to lower rates of heart disease and cancer.

Many people think that if certain foods are good, a lot is better.
This is not always the case, and high doses of certain food are actually toxic.

Read about the healthy food, research the vitamins and minerals and check with your health care provider if you are unsure about how much to eat and how much may be too much.