If you tried this product, you probably noticed for yourself that it is very sweet. Why then is Jerusalem artichoke syrup indicated for diabetes? The fact is that it is not glucose or fructose that gives it such taste, but fructans. These are rather rare polymers that do not adversely affect the human body.
In nature, they contain a small number of plants. The leader among them is Jerusalem artichoke. People call it an earthen pear or Jerusalem artichoke.
In the article we will analyze the benefits and harms of Jerusalem artichoke syrup. Consider the signs of a quality product, tell you how to cook it yourself.
General information
First, we learn what Jerusalem artichoke is. Syrup is made from tubers. The plant with its appearance resembles a sunflower. Its tubers are suitable not only for syrup, but also for other dishes. They look like ginger, and to taste they are compared with raw but sweet potatoes.
In the photo you can see what Jerusalem artichoke is. The syrup from its tubers looks like flower honey. This is a thick, viscous liquid with a saturated amber hue.
Plant history
The homeland of Jerusalem artichoke is called North America. In the United States, the root crop grows even in the wild. The Indians called it the "solar root." It is known that they grew and consumed Jerusalem artichoke before the advent of the colonialists.
In Europe, a strange product appeared at the beginning of the 17th century. Then he was given the current name. It came from the name of the Chilean Indians - Jerusalem artichoke. The new plant quickly spread throughout Western Europe as a vegetable, industrial, and fodder crop. It was especially appreciated as a winter delicacy due to its unusual taste, somewhat reminiscent of nuts.
Jerusalem artichoke came to Russia in the 18th century. Today it is grown mainly in the European part of the country. It can be found more often on personal plots than on an industrial scale. This is due to one significant drawback of Jerusalem artichoke - it is not stored for long.
The names of Jerusalem artichoke in Russia depended on the way in which the vegetable entered the country. The root crop imported from Romania began to be called Voloshsky turnip, and Jerusalem artichoke from China - Chinese potatoes.
Agave or Jerusalem artichoke: similarities and differences
Below we will talk about the use of Jerusalem artichoke syrup. Note that many people compare it with agave syrup. Indeed, these two products are somewhat similar. Both syrups taste like honey. The agave product is only a little more cloying. Ground pear syrup resembles honey with an unusual raw potato flavor.
However, the differences between them are not only in taste, but also in the following features:
- There is no fructose in homemade Jerusalem artichoke syrup. There are a lot of it in the product from agave (more than 90%). And excessive use of this substance adversely affects human health.
- The Jerusalem artichoke syrup has 260 Kcal, and the agave product has 310 Kcal.
- Production also varies. So, agave syrup is produced from the juice of this plant by the method of filtration, hydrolysis and subsequent thickening. How to make Jerusalem artichoke syrup? The product is prepared by boiling its tubers at low temperature.
- Agave syrup is rich in vitamins, minerals, inulin, fructans and saponins. Syrup from the Jerusalem artichoke contains minerals, fructans, vitamins and inulin.
Chemical composition of the product
You can learn about the benefits and dangers of Jerusalem artichoke syrup by analyzing its chemical composition. The root crop contains:
- Organic acids: malic, succinic, citric, malonic, fumaric.
- Inulin is an organic substance from the polysaccharide category.
- Minerals: magnesium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, manganese, silicon, zinc.
- Amino acids: methionine, lysine, threonine and others.
- Vitamins A, B, C, E, PP.
- Pectins.
As you can see, the composition of Jerusalem artichoke syrup is a whole pantry of nutrients.
Nutritional and energy value
Consider the energy value of the product. The numbers are given per 100 grams:
- 65 g of carbohydrates.
- A small proportion of fat.
- Energy value: 260 Kcal.
- GI (glycemic index): 15 units.
Product benefits
Knowing the composition of Jerusalem artichoke syrup, we can easily determine its important beneficial properties:
- Treatment and prevention of diabetes.
- Biologically active sugar substitute. Earthen pear syrup contains a lot of inulin. This allows you to reduce blood glucose and the need for intramuscular administration of insulin.
- Prevention of arrhythmia.
- Stimulation of the cardiovascular system.
- Light diuretic effect.
- Eliminate the problem of constipation.
- A serious weapon in the fight against excess weight (due to the high content of inulin).
- Normalization of cholesterol in the blood.
- Stabilization of blood pressure.
- General restorative during physical overstrain, in adverse environmental conditions.
- Beneficial effect on liver function, prevention of gallstone formation.
- Help the body with various digestive disorders.
- Stabilization of blood pressure.
- Anti-inflammatory effect on the body with gastritis, colitis, ulcers.
For certain population groups
We examined the useful properties of Jerusalem artichoke. The vegetable also has contraindications, but we will talk about them below. First, consider how it can be useful for certain groups of the population:
- Women. An effective tool in the fight against excess weight. The syrup gently detoxifies the body, and the removal of toxins and toxins has a beneficial effect on the skin condition. In general, it gives a feeling of lightness. Some experts believe that syrup is the prevention of cancerous tumors.
- Men Periodic consumption of the product in food will preserve potency until old age, reduce the risk of prostate adenoma.
- Children. For babies, syrup can be used as an auxiliary component in the first feeding. Older children can prepare a delicious symbiotic cocktail by mixing syrup with dairy products. Periodic use of this product by a child will strengthen immunity.
- Pregnant women. Regularly using syrup, a woman does not feel the effects of toxicosis so much. In addition, the product contributes to the proper development of the fetus due to the presence of amino acids, iron, protein and calcium in its composition.
- Nursing Moms. Syrup helps to stabilize metabolism, prevent heartburn, eliminate constipation.
Indications for use
We continue to study the beneficial properties and contraindications of Jerusalem artichoke vegetable. Syrup is recommended for use in the following cases:
- As a natural substitute for traditional sugar. Syrup is indicated for patients with pancreatic diabetes. Regular intake allows you to normalize blood sugar levels, and also reduces the body's need for insulin. This effect is confirmed by clinical studies conducted by the Academy of Medical Sciences of the Russian Federation.
- As a dietary supplement. Earthen pear syrup is recommended as a general restorative to all health-conscious people. The product increases performance, endurance during physical and mental stress. It is especially important to include such an additive in the diet for those who live in adverse environmental conditions.
- Therapeutic use. A syrup is indicated in the treatment of digestive failures of an unknown cause, in the fight against dysbiosis, overweight, metabolic disorders and gastrointestinal activity. The product helps to normalize the work of the cardiovascular system, helps to cleanse the liver of toxins.
- As a prebiotic. A syrup contains a specific substance that is necessary for nutrition and normal activity of intestinal microflora.
- As a dietary supplement. A syrup helps lower blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol in the blood. Such a dietary supplement helps get rid of morning sickness, which can be caused by chemotherapy. This product is a good natural remedy for headaches.
It is proved that syrup from Jerusalem artichoke surpasses the more common sweeteners in its beneficial properties:
- Corn syrup.
- Honey.
- Sugarcane products.
- Agave syrup.
Contraindications
If this product is made with high quality, it does not bring any harm to the body. Of course, it should be eaten in small quantities. Jerusalem artichoke syrup can be used in food for severe liver diseases such as cirrhosis, fatty degeneration, acute and chronic hepatitis.
There is only one contraindication: individual intolerance to the product.
How to choose high-quality root crops
Above we talked about the benefits and harms of Jerusalem artichoke syrup., A high-quality product should contain at least 50-70% of the dietary fiber of earthen pear tubers. Also, the composition should include purified water and lemon juice (in this case, it is a harmless preservative). The maximum proportion of the latter should not exceed 0.01% of the total mass.
Where to buy Jerusalem artichoke syrup? Unfortunately, on the shelves of Russian supermarkets this product is rare. However, it is presented in specialized health food stores. You can also order it in themed online stores. But in any cases, you need to focus on the reputation of the seller, the official documentation for its products, independent reviews of those who have already tried this product.
Ecologically clean Jerusalem artichoke is also grown on the territory of the Russian Federation without the use of chemicals and mineral fertilizers. You will find both tubers and seeds of this plant in horticultural centers. Jerusalem artichoke is quite easy to grow on your own, then to make syrup from it at home. How to make it? We will talk about this later.
Home cooking
We studied the benefits and harms of Jerusalem artichoke syrup. Now consider how to cook it yourself. It is very easy to do. You will need only two products:
- 1 kg of Jerusalem artichoke tubers.
- Juice of one medium lemon.
The steps for preparing the syrup are as follows:
- Rinse the tubers thoroughly.
- Peel them. Some housewives believe that you can not perform this action.
- Grind the tubers thoroughly. This can be done on a grater, in a meat grinder or blender. Squeeze the resulting mass through cheesecloth.
- Squeezed juice is placed in an enamel bowl. Put on the stove and heat to a temperature of not more than 50-60 ° C.
- Without exceeding it, stain the liquid with a spoon directly in the pan.
- Remove from stove and let cool.
- The heating procedure must be repeated several times until the liquid is thick enough.
- Already at the last heating, add lemon juice.
- Cool the resulting syrup, pour it into sterile containers. Close tightly. The product should only be stored in the refrigerator.
How to use it
How to take Jerusalem artichoke syrup? There are many ways to use it:
- Add sugar to tea or coffee instead of sugar.
- Put in any dishes as their sweetener. The most successful option here is baking.
- If you suffer from diabetes, then completely replace fructose and glucose with this product in your diet. It is also recommended for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes to take it according to 1 tbsp. spoon half an hour before a meal.
Jerusalem artichoke syrup is a useful substitute for glucose and fructose. Therefore, it is indicated for diabetes. It is also used as a general strengthening agent, as well as medicine for digestive problems and in the fight against excess weight. It can cause harm to the body only in case of individual intolerance to Jerusalem artichoke.