Safety Profile
Overall safety rating: Generally Safe
Artichoke Extract Side Effects & Safety
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer
Potential Side Effects
- Mild GI symptoms (gas, bloating) in some users
- Allergic reactions in people sensitive to Asteraceae/Compositae family plants
- Rare: increased hunger due to enhanced bile flow and digestion
- Very rare: contact dermatitis from handling fresh artichoke leaves
Drug & Supplement Interactions
- May enhance the effects of cholesterol-lowering medications (statins)
- Contraindicated in bile duct obstruction or gallstones — enhanced bile flow could worsen obstruction
- May interact with blood-thinning medications due to vitamin K content in whole artichoke
- May lower blood sugar — monitor if taking diabetes medications
Maximum Dose
Do not exceed: 2400mg/day (used in clinical trials)
References
- Holtmann G, Adam B, Haag S, Collet W, Grünewald E, Windeck T (2003). Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. DOI PubMed
- Sahebkar A, Pirro M, Banach M, Mikhailidis DP, Atkin SL, Cicero AFG (2018). Lipid-lowering activity of artichoke extracts: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. DOI PubMed
- Kirchhoff R, Beckers CH, Kirchhoff GM, Trinczek-Gärtner H, Petrowicz O, Reimann HJ (1994). Increase in choleresis by means of artichoke extract. Phytomedicine. DOI PubMed
- Gebhardt R (1997). Antioxidative and protective properties of extracts from leaves of the artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) against hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat hepatocytes. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. DOI PubMed