Artichoke Pills to Lose Weight: Do They Work?

You may have heard of artichoke before. This delicious nutrient-rich plant is a delicious addition to many meals, but its separate plant parts are often used to make extracts.

Artichoke extract (Cynara scolymus) is usually the extracted from the bulb of the vegetable and is thought to possess many health benefits, from improving fat digestion to lowering cholesterol.

However, what are the claims around artichoke pills for weight loss? Do they work? If so, how?

With weight loss supplements on the rise, it can be difficult to tell fact from fiction among the sea of bold claims, expensive products, and disappointing results.

This article sets out to examine the claims around artichoke pills for weight loss, whether they work, and effective alternatives.

Read on to find out all you need to know!

What is Artichoke?

The artichoke plant originated in the Mediterranean and has been used for centuries for its alleged health benefits. You often find artichoke as a tasty addition to some dishes, massively boosting the nutritious value.

Artichoke extract (Cynara scolymus) is an extract from the common bulb vegetable which contains compounds thought to possess benefits from improving digestion, to lowering blood sugar levels.

You can find artichoke as a supplement in the form of capsules, powder, and tea.

Let’s take a closer look at the possible benefits of supplementing with artichoke!

Artichoke: Top Health Benefits

• May Relieve Indigestion

Some research has shown that taking artichoke extract can reduce symptoms of indigestion, such as nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and stomach pain.¹

Artichoke contains cynarin, a naturally occurring compound that may have a positive effect on stimulating bile production, accelerating gut movement, and improving fat digestion.¹

Additionally, it may be worth noting that artichokes (in food form) are rich in fiber, which boosts friendly gut bacteria, thus improving overall digestive health.

• May Lower Cholesterol Levels

Artichoke extract has been shown to have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.

A few studies have shown that consumption of artichoke for a number of weeks resulted in reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol and may even sometimes boost “good” HDL cholesterol in those with high cholesterol. ²

It’s thought that artichoke has this effect due to the luteolin content, which is an antioxidant that prevents cholesterol formation, and by encouraging our body to process cholesterol more efficiently. ²

• May Aid Those with High Blood Pressure

Artichoke extract has been shown to provide potential benefits for those with high blood pressure.

One study showed improved markers of blood pressure after daily consumption of artichoke extract for 12 weeks, though it is not yet fully understood how this mechanism works.³

Additionally, artichokes are rich in potassium, which is an essential mineral for regulating blood pressure.

• Potential Liver-Protective Properties

Artichoke extract has been shown to have potential positive effects on liver health.

It has been suggested that artichoke extract helps increase the production of bile, which helps remove toxins from the liver, protects it from damage, and promotes new tissue growth.⁴

It is speculated that the antioxidants cynarin and silymarin, found in artichokes, are somewhat responsible for these liver health benefits.

Do Artichoke Pills Help You Lose Weight?

It appears artichoke extract is building a good reputation for itself regarding the potential health benefits it possesses, and while the research is still in its youth, it still looks promising!

So, where have the claims around weight loss come from? And is this an accurate statement?

There has been some speculation around artichokes being effective in lowering blood sugar levels, so let’s explore this a bit deeper.

There was one study that explored artichokes and artichoke leaf extract and their possible effect on blood sugar levels.

In this study, 39 overweight adults found that the daily consumption of kidney bean and artichoke extract for two months resulted in lowered fasting blood sugar levels compared to no consumption at all.⁵

However, it’s not clear that this effect was due to the artichoke itself, or because of the kidney bean extract. Thus, it remains an inconclusive statement.

Though, you may be wondering what this has to do with weight loss.

To put it simply, controlling your blood sugar levels may help prevent weight gain, making weight loss easier, thus reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, and reducing stress hormones which can indirectly lead to weight gain.

In theory, if artichoke were to have more concrete evidence behind its claims around balancing blood sugar, it may be something more commonly recommended for weight loss.

Though for now, at the time of writing, we wouldn’t recommend wasting your money on artichoke extract for weight loss.

However, there may be an effective alternative!

Burn Lab Pro: An Effective Alternative

If you’re looking for a fat burner that actually works, Burn Lab Pro may be a great addition to your supplement regime.

Burn Lab Pro combines 5 cutting-edge ingredients:

1. Coleus Forskhohlii
2. Cayenne Pepper Extract
3. HMB
4. GTF Chromium
5. Black Pepper Extract

This combination of ingredients works to support over 15 key bio-functions that boost fat loss, improve training performance, and increase lean muscle mass.

We recommend taking the guesswork out of finding weight loss supplements that work and instead opt for Burn Lab Pro, which is known to provide the results you’re seeking!