May Lower ‘Bad’ LDL Cholesterol and Increase ‘Good’ HDL Cholesterol

Artichoke leaf extract may be beneficial to cholesterol levels. A big study of over 700 patients discovered that taking artichoke leaf extract daily for 5-13 weeks reduced total and "bad" LDL cholesterol. One trial of 143 adults with high cholesterol found that taking artichoke leaf extract daily for six weeks reduced total and "bad" LDL cholesterol by 18.5% and 22.9%, respectively. In addition, an animal study found that frequent feeding of artichoke extract reduced "bad" LDL cholesterol by 30% and triglycerides by 22%.

Furthermore, in adults with elevated cholesterol, regular use of artichoke extract may increase "good" HDL cholesterol. Artichoke extract influences cholesterol in two ways. First, artichokes contain luteolin, an antioxidant that reduces the synthesis of cholesterol. Second, artichoke leaf extract stimulates your body's metabolism of cholesterol, resulting in reduced overall levels.