Artichoke: the trials tested a capsule

Almost everything known about artichoke and health comes from capsules. The trials behind the cholesterol and blood pressure numbers gave people artichoke extract, mostly made from the leaf, and none of them fed anyone the vegetable you steam and peel. In those trials the extract lowered LDL cholesterol by somewhere between 10 and 15 mg/dL, mostly in adults with mildly raised cholesterol. Blood pressure is where the reviews disagree. One pooled analysis of 8 trials found no effect overall, and a fall of about 3.2 mmHg only in people who already had high blood pressure. Another, from 2022, pooling 7 trials in 472 adults, found a drop of 2.0 mmHg across adults. Until that is settled, treat any blood pressure benefit as small and unproven. The vegetable itself is a plain, decent food. 100 g raw carries 5.4 g of fibre and 68 µg of folate, and a whole artichoke weighs about 125 g.

The numbers, per 100 g

How much is actually in it

• In a Sicilian cohort of 1,937 adults, artichokes and olives were named as dietary sources of flavones. — 1,937 adults in Catania, Italy (MEAL study), 110-item food frequency questionnaire, Phenol-Explorer database (n = 1937) Evidence C source
  Artichokes named with olives as flavone sources, no amount given in the quoted passage

What a real portion looks like

• A raw globe artichoke gives 5.4 g fibre and 68 µg folate per 100 g in USDA, while the British table CoFID lists about 2.5 times less copper (0.09 vs 0.231 mg). — Artichokes, globe or French, raw (USDA SR Legacy) and Artichoke, globe, raw (CoFID); FNDDS portions (n = USDA 6 artichoke records, CoFID 4, FNDDS 1) Evidence E source
  USDA FDC 169205 per 100 g: copper 0.231 mg, fibre 5.4 g, folate 68 µg. CoFID 13-153: copper 0.09 mg, potassium 360 mg. FNDDS 2709766: 1 heart 30 g, 1 whole artichoke 125 g, 1 cup 150 g

What your body absorbs

• In 10 volunteers given artichoke extract capsules, none of the original caffeic acid compounds appeared in urine, only their breakdown products such as ferulic and vanillic acid. — 10 healthy non-smoking adults (5 women, 5 men), 3 capsules of 320 mg artichoke extract over 8 hours after a 2-day low-polyphenol diet (n = 10) Evidence C source
  Parent polyphenols not detected in urine; ferulic, isoferulic, dihydroferulic and vanillic acid excretion rose on the dosing day

What cooking and storage change

• No study measured what cooking does to artichoke itself, and the USDA factor for boiled vegetables of its group predicts about a third of the folate is lost while copper stays almost intact. — Vegetables and Vegetable Products (USDA group 11), other vegetables boiled in water to cover and drained (n = USDA R6 table, one group-by-method row) Evidence E source
  USDA-RETN-R6:3775 retained after boiling and draining: folate 65%, vitamin C 75%, potassium 90%, copper 95%

What it does to your health

• Across randomised trials in adults, artichoke supplements lowered BMI by 0.51 kg/m2, waist by 1.21 cm, LDL cholesterol by about 10 mg/dL and triglycerides by about 13 mg/dL, with no significant effect on HDL cholesterol. — Adults in randomised controlled trials of artichoke supplementation, literature searched to September 2024 Evidence A source
  WMD: BMI -0.51 kg/m2 (95% CI 0.93 to -0.09), waist -1.21 cm (2.24 to -0.17), LDL-C -10.31 mg/dL (18.57 to -2.04), triglycerides -12.85 mg/dL (24.77 to -0.93); HDL-C not significantly changed

Safety, limits and interactions

• In a 6-week placebo-controlled pilot trial in 40 people with obesity awaiting bariatric surgery, artichoke leaf extract reduced liver fat and liver size but raised transaminases, especially AST. — 40 bariatric surgery candidates with obesity and MASLD, 6 weeks, leaf extract vs placebo (n = 40) Evidence B source
  Lower CAP (liver fat) and liver lobe diameter vs placebo; AST rose in the extract group
• Allergy to eaten globe artichoke was first described in 2000, in a case series of patients who already had allergic rhinitis and asthma. — Four case reports of rare food allergy (grapes, lupine, black mulberry, artichoke) in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma (n = 4) Evidence D source
  Positive skin prick-to-prick test and specific IgE to artichoke
• The EU herbal monograph for artichoke leaf lists bile duct obstruction, gallstones, liver disease and Asteraceae allergy as contraindications, and does not recommend it in pregnancy or breastfeeding. — Users of artichoke leaf herbal medicinal products (EU) Evidence E source
  Contraindications and use restrictions, no effect size

What people believe that the data does not support

• The EU refused to authorise claims that artichoke helps the kidneys remove water or supports the body's elimination functions, so these wordings cannot be used on EU food labels. — Foods and supplements marketed in the EU Evidence E source
  Claim non-authorised, no effect size

Who this works differently for

• In a pooled analysis of 8 randomised trials, artichoke did not lower blood pressure overall, but in people with hypertension systolic pressure fell by about 3.2 mmHg and diastolic by 2.3 mmHg. — 8 RCTs of artichoke supplementation vs placebo, subgroups by health status (hypertension, NAFLD) and duration (8 vs 12 weeks) (n = 8 trials) Evidence A source
  Overall SBP -0.77 mmHg (95% CI -2.76 to 1.22), DBP -0.11 mmHg (-1.72 to 1.50); hypertensive subgroup SBP -3.19 mmHg, DBP -2.33 mmHg; no reduction in NAFLD patients
• Across 9 trials with 702 people, artichoke extract lowered total cholesterol by 17.6 mg/dL and LDL by 14.9 mg/dL. — 9 RCTs, 702 subjects, artichoke extract supplementation, mostly mildly hypercholesterolaemic adults (n = 702) Evidence A source
  TC -17.6 mg/dL (95% CI -22.0 to -13.3), LDL-C -14.9 mg/dL (-20.4 to -9.5), TG -9.2 mg/dL (-16.2 to -2.1)
• In people with fatty liver given artichoke leaf extract with metformin or vitamin E for 12 weeks, ALT and AST fell in every arm. — Adults with NAFLD randomised to metformin plus vitamin E, metformin plus extract, or vitamin E plus extract, 12 weeks Evidence B source
  ALT and AST reduced within all groups after 12 weeks (p < .05)

What is still unknown

• A 2022 dose-response meta-analysis of 7 trials in 472 adults found artichoke lowered systolic pressure by 2.0 mmHg and diastolic by 1.5 mmHg. — 7 randomised trials, 472 adults, oral artichoke supplementation (n = 472) Evidence A source
  SBP WMD -2.01 mmHg (95% CI -3.78 to -0.24), DBP WMD -1.45 mmHg (95% CI -2.81 to -0.08)
• In a 2021 meta-analysis, the two pooled artichoke juice effect sizes moved LDL by only 1.75 mg/dL and also lowered HDL by 4.2 mg/dL. — Randomised trials of artichoke juice supplementation, 2 effect sizes combined (n = 2 effect sizes) Evidence A source
  Juice: TC -18.04 mg/dL (95% CI -20.30 to -15.78), LDL-C -1.75 mg/dL (-3.02 to -0.48), HDL-C -4.21 mg/dL (-5.49 to -2.93), TG -3.34 mg/dL (-5.51 to -1.17)

The bottom line

If you eat artichokes, you are eating a vegetable, and nothing on this page tells you how much that moves your cholesterol. Nobody has measured what cooking does to artichoke itself. The USDA factor for boiled vegetables of its kind predicts that boiling and draining keeps about 65 percent of the folate and 95 percent of the copper. Juice looks weaker than the extract. In the two juice results pooled in a 2021 review, LDL moved by only 1.75 mg/dL, and HDL, the cholesterol you want to keep, fell by 4.2 mg/dL. Two results is thin, so read that as a warning sign rather than a verdict. The compounds the extract is sold for do not reach the urine intact. In 10 volunteers only their breakdown products showed up, so which substance does the work, if any does, is still open. The liver story cuts both ways. In a 6-week pilot in 40 people with obesity waiting for bariatric surgery, leaf extract reduced liver fat and also raised liver enzymes, AST most of all. A 12-week trial in fatty liver paired the extract with metformin or vitamin E and had no placebo arm, so it cannot say what the extract did on its own. The EU monograph for artichoke leaf medicines says not to use them with a blocked bile duct, gallstones, liver disease or an allergy to the daisy family (Asteraceae), and does not recommend them in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If any of that applies to you, ask your doctor before taking an extract. Allergy to eaten artichoke does exist. It was first described in 2000, in people who already had allergic rhinitis and asthma. We have no data on how artichoke extract interacts with medicines. That is a gap in our sources, and it does not mean there are no interactions. The EU refused to let labels say that artichoke helps the kidneys remove water or supports the body's elimination functions. A refusal means the evidence did not convince the assessors at the time. It does not prove the effect is absent.

Sources

1. arti-b2-09 · observational
   fruits (i.e. cherries were sources of anthocyanins and citrus fruits of flavanones) and vegetables (i.e. artichokes and olives were sources of flavones and spinach and beans of flavonols)
   Int J Food Sci Nutr, 2017 · checked 2026-09-23
2. arti-b2-14 · reference dataset
   USDA FDC 169205 Artichokes, (globe or french), raw | copper 0.231 mg | fiber 5.4 g | folate 68 ug || CoFID 13-153 Artichoke, globe, raw | Copper 0.09 mg | Potassium 360 mg || FNDDS 2709766 Artichoke | 1 heart 30 g | 1 whole 125 g | 1 cup 150 g
   USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy; CoFID 2021, Public Health England / OGL v3.0; FNDDS · checked 2026-09-23
3. arti-b2-08 · human metabolic study
   Polyphenols and phenolic acids present in the artichoke extract were not detected in the urine either as conjugates or aglycones. However, ferulic, isoferulic, dihydroferulic and vanillic acid were identified as major metabolites after beta-glucuronidase treatment of urine.
   Free Radic Res, 2001 · checked 2026-09-23
4. arti-b2-13 · reference dataset
   USDA-RETN-R6:3775 VEG,OTHER,BLD,WATER COVER,DRAINED | folate_total_ug 65% | vitamin_c_mg 75% | potassium_mg 90% | copper_mg 95%
   USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007) · checked 2026-09-23
5. arti-b2-01 · meta-analysis of RCTs
   Artichoke supplementation significantly reduced body mass index (WMD = -0.51 kg/m2, 95 % CI: 0.93 to -0.09) and waist circumference (WMD = -1.21 cm, 95 % CI: 2.24 to -0.17), while its effects on body weight and hip circumference were not statistically significant. ... low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD = -10.31 mg/dL, 95 % CI: 18.57 to -2.04), and triglycerides (WMD = -12.85 mg/dL, 95 % CI: 24.77 to -0.93), with no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
   Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2025 · checked 2026-09-23
6. arti-b2-06 · RCT
   Forty participating bariatric surgery candidates received either ALE or a placebo for 6 weeks before measurements. ... ALE intake significantly reduced CAP values and liver lobe diameters compared to placebo, indicating decreased steatosis and liver volume. ... However, transaminase levels-particularly aspartate aminotransferase-increased in the ALE group.
   J Clin Lipidol, 2026 · checked 2026-09-23
7. arti-b2-10 · case report
   Grapes, lupine seeds, black mulberry and artichoke resulted positive in the patients under study. This is the first time allergy to ingested artichoke has been described.
   J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol, 2000 · checked 2026-09-23
8. arti-b2-11 · regulatory monograph
   Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to plants of the Asteraceae family (Compositae). Obstruction of bile duct, cholangitis, liver disease, gallstones and any other biliary disorders that require medical supervision and advice. ... Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, the use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.
   European Medicines Agency, EU herbal monograph on Cynara cardunculus L. (syn. Cynara scolymus L.), folium, 2018 · checked 2026-09-23
9. arti-b2-12 · regulatory register
   POL-HC-7003 Cynara scolymus - common name : artichoke, globe artichoke Used to enhance the renal elimination of water / "Used to facilitate the elimination functions of the organism" / "Used for the drainage of the organism" / "Stimulates the elimination function of the organism" / "Contributes to the functionary of the urinary tract" Non-authorised
   EU Register on nutrition and health claims, claim POL-HC-7003, snapshot 2026-09-21 · checked 2026-09-23
10. arti-b2-02 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Pooled analysis of eight randomized controlled trials revealed that artichoke supplementation did not have an effect on systolic blood pressure (SBP), (WMD: -0.77 mmHg, 95 % CI: -2.76 to 1.22) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: -0.11 mmHg, 95 % CI: -1.72 to 1.50) when compared to the placebo group. However, subgroup analyses based on health status suggested that artichoke administration among hypertensive patients may significantly reduce SBP (WMD: -3.19 mmHg, 95 % CI: -3.32 to -3.06) and DBP (WMD: -2.33 mmHg, 95 % CI: -2.23 to -2.43), but no such reduction was found in NAFLD patients.
    Complement Ther Med, 2021 · checked 2026-09-23
11. arti-b2-04 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Meta-analysis of data from 9 trials including 702 subjects suggested a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD: -17.6 mg/dL, 95%CI: -22.0, -13.3, p < 0.001), Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C; WMD: -14.9 mg/dL, 95%CI: -20.4, -9.5, p = 0.011) and triglycerides (WMD: -9.2 mg/dL, 95%CI: -16.2, -2.1, p = 0.011).
    Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2018 · checked 2026-09-23
12. arti-b2-07 · RCT
    After 12 weeks of treatment, the results showed that the rate of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly reduced within all the study groups (p < .05).
    Phytother Res, 2021 · checked 2026-09-23
13. arti-b2-03 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Out of 1,507 citations, 7 trials that enrolled 472 subjects were included. Artichoke supplementation resulted in significant reduction in SBP (weighted mean difference [WMD], -2.01 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.78, -0.24; p = 0.026) and DBP (WMD, -1.45 mmHg; 95% CI, -2.81, -0.08; p = 0.038).
    Clin Nutr Res, 2022 · checked 2026-09-23
14. arti-b2-05 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Combining the two effect sizes revealed that artichoke juice supplementation significantly reduced TG (WMD: -3.34 mg/dl, 95%CI: -5.51, -1.17, p = .003), TC (WMD: -18.04 mg/dl, 95%CI: -20.30, -15.78, p < .001), LDL-C (WMD: -1.75 mg/dl, 95%CI: -3.02, -0.48, p = .007), and HDL-C levels (WMD: -4.21 mg/dl, 95%CI: -5.49, -2.93, p < .001).
    Phytother Res, 2021 · checked 2026-09-23