Are you craving a nutrient-packed bite to eat? The artichoke might just be your new super-snack, a University of Florida researcher says.
“Artichokes are not only a tasty vegetable, but they are also rich in nutrients that are good for our bodies,” said Tie Liu, an associate professor of horticultural sciences at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). They contain fiber, antioxidants and bioactive compounds that may help support heart health, digestion and overall wellness. “Because of these health benefits, artichokes can play an important role in healthy diets.”
But artichokes start losing nutritional value soon after they’re picked. To address this issue, Liu and Shinsuke Agehara are studying postharvest quality changes in artichokes grown at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). Through the study, they plan to identify ways to extend artichokes’ shelf life while maintaining the stability of health-beneficial compounds…