Jerusalem artichoke is a popular root vegetable of temperate regions. Jerusalem artichokes are also known as sunchokes; sunroots; earth apples; and girasol. It is scientifically known as Helianthus tuberosus. It belongs to the family Asteraceae, the Sunflower family.

Nutrition and Food Uses of Jerusalem Artichokes: Jerusalem artichoke is mainly cultivated for its underground tubers which are edible and are used as root vegetables. Raw tubers resembles potatoes in consistency and texture but more sweet and nuttier in flavor. Tubers have a crispness that resembles water chestnuts and therefore most suitable for salad preparation. Jerusalem artichokes are used for pickling purposes and can also be cooked like potatoes. Tubers may be boiled, roasted, fried and steamed. Thin slices of tubers are used for preparing chips.

Jerusalem artichoke tubers are an important source of inulin, a particular type of carbohydrate. Inulin has a high dietary significance.

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Medicinal Properties and Health Benefits of Jerusalem Artichokes: Though most of the root tubers store carbohydrates as starch, Jerusalem artichokes and other artichokes store carbohydrates as inulin. Therefore Jerusalem artichoke tubers serve as the best substitutes for starches in many diet preparations. Besides, inulin is easily digestible and helps body in increasing calcium absorption. Another important point is, consumption of Jerusalem tubers does not increase blood sugar and therefore highly recommended for the diabetic patients as a part of their regular diet and hence it is also known as ‘diabetics potato’. Jerusalem artichoke can also be used a aphrodisiac, diuretic, stomachic, and tonic, Jerusalem artichoke is also used as a remedy for rheumatism.

Jerusalem artichokes are high in potassium, iron, dietary fibers, niacin, thiamine, copper and phosphorus. Nutritional value of a half-cup serving of Jerusalem artichoke preparation is, 327 milligrams of potassium; 57 calories of energy; 1.5 grams of protein; 1.2 gram of dietary fiber; 10.5 milligrams of calcium, and 10 mcg of folacin along with smaller amounts of niacin and thiamine.

According to USDA, the nutrient composition of RAW Jerusalem artichoke tubers is as follows:

Water-78.01 g; Energy-73 kcal; Protein-2 g; Total lipid-0.01 g; Carbohydrate-17.44 g; Fiber-1.6 g; Sugars-9.6 g; Calcium, Ca-14 mg; Iron, Fe-3.4 mg; Magnesium, Mg-17 mg; Phosphorus, P-78 mg; Potassium, K-429 mg; Sodium, Na-4 mg; Zinc, Zn-0.12 mg; Vitamin C-4 mg; Thiamin-0.2 mg; Riboflavin-0.06 mg; Niacin-1.3 mg; Vitamin B-6-0.077 mg; Folate, DFE-13 ug; Vitamin A-20 IU; Vitamin E-0.19 mg and Vitamin K-0.1 ug

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