The benefits and harms of Jerusalem artichoke

Today we will talk about the benefits and harms of Jerusalem artichoke, or as it is called by the people of an earthen pear, the healing properties of which are legendary, but still it has become fashionable to take exotic fruits, teas with secret recipes and green coffee for weight loss, rejuvenation and healing of the body. And often the use of overseas drugs, and even more so products with an unknown composition, can be dangerous for the human body.

Therefore, sometimes you just need to pay attention to our everyday, home-grown fruits and vegetables, you can see that they have been known to mankind for more than one thousand years, they grow on any piece of land behind the house and at the same time are useful and safe for use in food, and also recommended for the prevention of many diseases.

When it comes to Jerusalem artichoke, we think first of all about the Russian sex of the medicinal plant, although it is impossible to call this tasty root crop purely Russian. Jerusalem artichoke is native to North America, and it was brought to Europe over 400 years ago by the Spanish conquerors.

In America, wild Jerusalem artichoke still grows on large areas. By the way, in the world there are up to 300 species of a useful root crop, most often referred to as Jerusalem artichoke, although there are other names.

Jerusalem artichoke is a vegetable crop of the Astrov family, a perennial tuberous plant very similar to sunflower in Russia was called "ground pear". Although its official name is tuberous sunflower. And the roots of this vegetable look like ginger.

The benefits of Jerusalem artichoke

In the distant past, people used roots, decoctions of the leaves and stems of the useful Jerusalem artichoke for medicinal purposes, and the juice of this plant was used to treat burns, relieve pain in the joints and spine, treat insomnia and poor appetite, and also helped with a breakdown.

With the development of science and medicine, scientists studied this root crop in more detail and were surprised by the abundance and variety of nutrients contained in this plant. Ascorbic acid, B vitamins, mineral salts of potassium, zinc, iron and silicon, sugar and pectin - this is not a complete list of useful substances contained in Jerusalem artichoke.

The special value and benefit of Jerusalem artichoke is that it contains the polysaccharide inulin, which is an analogue of human insulin. Inulin helps in repairing the liver and strengthening the immune system. And also this polysaccharide contributes to the destruction of glucose and healing of the skin, and weight loss.

In the list of prevention and treatment of diseases with the help of Jerusalem artichoke, you can safely include such diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, anemia and peptic ulcer.

Jerusalem artichoke juice or raw tubers are a must in the treatment of diabetes. Ground pear is the first assistant in the treatment of eczema and pigmentation in vitiligo, and what is very important, promotes the removal of radiation and toxic metals from the body.

Blood pressure stabilization and prevention myocardial infarction and stroke, increase immunity, treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases and anemia, vision improvement -all these diseases can be treated with Jerusalem artichoke. Moreover, this information is not given only by grandmothers from the category of traditional medicine, but also confirmed by doctors and scientists.

The use and storage of Jerusalem artichoke

The medicinal properties of this plant are endowed not only with tubers, but also with stems, as well as leaves. Therefore, you can safely harvest leaves and stems during flowering, this is August - September.

And after withering of the upper part of the plant in September - October, it is necessary to harvest root crops. However, Jerusalem artichoke roots tolerate winter frosts well. And in early spring, after thawing the soil, you can dig up root crops from the ground.

Leaves and stems of Jerusalem artichoke are dried or canned. There are many recipes for cooking Jerusalem artichoke dishes. Root crops can be boiled, fried, stewed, baked, prepared juices and syrups. But Jerusalem artichoke salad is considered the most useful dish, and we will give several recipes for such salads at the end of the article.

The powder prepared from Jerusalem artichoke roots also has healing properties. It is used as a seasoning for various dishes. To prepare the powder, you need to wash the roots, cut into thin slices and dry at room temperature.

Or dry in the oven at a temperature not exceeding 70 degrees. At higher temperatures, the beneficial qualities of this vegetable may be lost. After that, you need to grind Jerusalem artichoke in a coffee grinder and store in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.

The benefits and use of ground pear for food

Like any vegetable Jerusalem artichoke is useful to eat raw. The low calorie content of this root is only 72 cal. allows you to take it in food without any special restrictions. The main building material for the human body is protein, in Jerusalem artichoke the protein content is 2g.

Therefore, the inclusion of Jerusalem artichoke dishes in the menu contributes to the activation of the work of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems.

Another good reason why you need to use a healthy ground pear in my food is that this vegetable helps the body accumulate the necessary dose of selenium from products, although it does not contain this element itself.

The fact is that selenium is a powerful biocorrector that controls and normalizes the work of all organs and systems of our body.

To prepare dishes from their earthen pear (Jerusalem artichoke), you need to choose root crops without damage and dark spots.

Jerusalem artichoke syrup benefit and harm

Jerusalem artichoke syrup is useful because it contains a large number of biologically active components that our body needs all the time. The most important of these components in healthy Jerusalem artichoke juice are the minerals iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, manganese and zinc.

Organic and valuable amino acids contained and beneficial to Jerusalem artichoke syrup should be listed, such as: malic, fumaric, citric, succinic and malonic acids, as well as lysine, leucine, methionine. The syrup contains vitamins of groups B and C, pectins, inulin-polysaccharide complex.

Regular use of Jerusalem artichoke syrup by people suffering from pancreatic diabetes reduces the body's need for insulin and lowers blood sugar. This is confirmed by clinical tests conducted at the Academy of Medical Sciences of the Russian Federation.

The benefits of Jerusalem artichoke root in alternative medicine

A large number of vitamins and minerals with beneficial properties are found in the tubers of this plant. Inulin, antioxidants and amino acids, have a beneficial effect on the body and help in reducing vascular tone; increase the content of hemoglobin in the blood; contribute to the gentle removal of stones, and also help to remove radionuclides and salts of heavy metals.

The iron content in Jerusalem artichoke roots is several times higher than in turnips and beets, carrots, and potatoes. The roots of this vegetable contain sodium and fluorine, potassium and calcium, silicon and magnesium. Therefore, in alternative medicine, in the treatment of rhinitis and joint pain, earthen pear roots are often used.

Jerusalem artichoke leaves benefits

This part of the plant contains about 6% pectin. Therefore, the leaves are used in the treatment of: diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gout, anemia and urolithiasis. Disease of the nervous system, atherosclerosis, as well as overweight can be treated with Jerusalem artichoke leaf powder.

Jerusalem artichoke flowers benefit

Decoctions and infusions of Jerusalem artichoke flowers are also useful, they remove signs of intoxication. Headache, heartburn, high blood pressure, cramps and intestinal colic go away during the use of decoctions from Jerusalem artichoke flowers and under the influence of their benefits. At the same time, the flowers of the plant have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Harm of Jerusalem artichoke

Russian scientists are studying the issue of the harm of Jerusalem artichoke, and the benefits of human consumption of this root vegetable for food. But for now, we can safely say that everything depends on individual intolerance.

If a person has an increased tendency to flatulence, then, of course, he must not abuse raw Jerusalem artichoke. The only thing to remember is the high content of fiber and inulin, which contribute to the development of gas formation in the intestines.

Currently, all contraindications for the use of Jerusalem artichoke and its harm are exhausted by this. However, everyone should remember: “everything is good in moderation.”

As all doctors recommend - nutrition should be balanced and varied. Therefore, it is not worth abusing the use of Jerusalem artichoke in large quantities. Perhaps this is all that can be said about the dangers of Jerusalem artichoke.

Cooking dishes from Jerusalem artichoke with diabetes

Like any vegetable, Jerusalem artichoke is healthier and best eaten raw. After all, only in its raw form all useful substances and vitamins are preserved as much as possible.

The benefits of Jerusalem artichoke and healthy recipes

Jerusalem artichoke salad

1. 3 - 4 pcs. Jerusalem artichoke tubers

2. 1 piece fresh cucumber

3. 5-6 pcs. radish

4. Greens (dill, parsley)

Wash the vegetables, chop and mix with olive oil. By the way, Jerusalem artichoke can not be cleaned.

Sauerkraut with Jerusalem artichoke

1. 4-5pcs Jerusalem artichoke tubers

2. 1 piece Apple

3. 200 g sauerkraut

4. Extra virgin olive oil

Washed and peeled Jerusalem artichoke and peeled apple, grate on a coarse grater. Add sauerkraut. Mix everything with olive oil.

Salad “Winter Joy”

1. 2-3 pcs. Jerusalem artichoke tubers

2. 1-2 pcs. large carrots

3. One medium pickled cucumber

4. Greens (dill, parsley)

5. Extra virgin olive oil

Jerusalem artichoke and carrots should be grated on a coarse grater. Finely chop the cucumber and herbs. Mix all ingredients and season with olive oil.

To prepare dishes from Jerusalem artichoke, you need to choose root crops without damage and dark spots.

A brief review of the benefits and harms of Jerusalem artichoke can be said by the beneficial properties of an almost analogue of oriental ginseng, and this is where we end. And I hope that the use of this healthy, but albeit not very popular, and in vain forgotten, by our often unconscious and unwise modern civilization of this wonderful vegetable, will help you improve your health to such an extent that you will feel even younger and full of energy. than at 14, which is what I wish you.

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