The Health Benefits of Jerusalem Artichokes Vegetable

Topinambur also known as Jerusalem artichoke is a one year old plant, which is able to grow to the height 1-5meters. Native to eastern North America and belongs to the sunflower family of plants. Jerusalem artichokes can be eaten raw or cooked, and they make a nice, health boosting addition to soups and salads alike.

 

Its above-ground part of the plant is very similar to sunflower, whereas the underground part-edible root is like a potato, but tastes differently. Topinambur regulates blood pressure and digestive system. It protects liver and kidney. It helps also to increase immunity of organism in case of infections, acts against stress, provides energy for organism and increases the ability of concentration.

 

Jerusalem artichokes are a good source of hair health promoting nutrients such as iron, copper and vitamin C. A 100-gram serving of raw Jerusalem artichokes provides almost a fifth of the recommended daily intake for iron.

 

Dietary iron carries oxygen to the hair, keeping hair follicles healthy. Evidence suggests that depleted iron stores are among the most common causes of hair loss in pre-menopausal women.

Similar to iron, copper helps prevent hair loss and boost hair growth. Jerusalem artichoke is high in inulin which only breaks down to fructose in the colon. As a result, they have a very low glycemic index and barely affect blood sugar levels.

 

Jerusalem artichokes are a good source of fiber, thiamine, phosphorus, potassium and iron. They are low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium. One cup of Jerusalem artichokes contains 109 calories.

 

The tuber contains small amounts of anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E. These vitamins together with flavonoids compound like carotenes helps scavenge harmful free radicals, and thereby offers protection from cancers, inflammation and viral cough and cold.

 

The presence of natural biological fibers and pectin allows using topinambur for body detoxification, efficient prophylaxis in cases of intoxication with organic solvents, drugs, or alcohol. This is what determines its hepatoprotective properties. Topinambur improves metabolism and exerts favourable influence in patients with obesity, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and disbacteriosis.