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Page 117
| that helps eliminate cholesterol from the body. Because strawberries act as a diuretic, they help ease the joint swelling that occurs with rheumatoid arthritis and gout. |
| F.Y.I. |
| If you are looking for vitamin C, make sure you eat fresh artichokes; canned or frozen lose a lot of the nutrient during processing. |
| For folate, go with frozen artichokes; they provide even more of this nutrient than do fresh artichokes. |
| Vegetables |
| As with fruits, you really can't go wrong no matter what vegetable you choosewhat matters most to your health is eating as many as possible, and opting for the freshest you can find. (Remember, though, that frozen vegetables often retain more nutrients than "fresh" ones that have sat around for a few days.) Here are some more of the best picks. |
| 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 |
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