Treatment of diabetes requires careful monitoring of the diet and significantly limits the choice of acceptable products for the patient. Nevertheless, there is a pleasant and painless way to treat this ailment with a natural and tasty vegetable. Jerusalem artichoke is used in diabetes as a source of inulin, which significantly reduces the number of necessary injections.
What is Jerusalem artichoke?
The Latin name of the plant is "Helianthus tuberosus", popularly known as earthen pear, wild sunflower, turnip or bulb. The similarity of Jerusalem artichoke with a sunflower is even in its scientific name, which translates as "tuberous sunflower". The outer surface part consists of a dense high stem, small leaves and branches with yellow flowers at the apex. It is the bright yellow inflorescences of the basket that make Jerusalem artichoke look like a sunflower.
The flowering period usually falls at the end of September - beginning of October. After it comes the optimal time for collecting root crops. Jerusalem artichoke tubers resemble potatoes with their oblong shape and brown skin. In the earth, they tolerate cold well, but change their composition when exposed to frost. The fruits that remain in the ground for the winter germinate with the onset of heat and give a new crop in the fall.
The composition of the fetus
The chemical elements contained in Jerusalem artichoke can bring many benefits for diabetes. In addition, its components can positively affect digestion and metabolic processes in a relatively healthy human body. The composition of the earthen pear includes:
- 16 vital amino acids, among which are interchangeable and irreplaceable, such as: leucine, valine, lysine, arginine and others;
- fatty acids that promote fast metabolism and normal digestion;
- carbohydrates, among which inulin is a key element for the use of Jerusalem artichoke in diabetes. Inulin provokes the production of the hormone insulin, which is vital for diabetics;
- a wide range of vitamins, including C, E, K, B1 and others;
- nitrogenous substances;
- macro- and microelements;
- water.
Such a rich composition of Jerusalem artichoke makes it an indispensable food product and a source of nutrients for the body.
The effects of inulin on the body: benefits and harms
The most valuable earthen pear element for diabetics is inulin. Its use can reduce or completely eliminate the need for insulin. Due to the fact that its content in the vegetable is 16-18 percent, the effect is felt quite quickly.
By splitting Jerusalem artichoke into elements, the body sends part of the incoming inulin to the liver, where it becomes fructose. It is in this form that this substance enters the bloodstream, from which it is absorbed into the cells in the form of glucose. At the same time, fructose remaining in the liver helps in the production of glycogen.
The part of inulin that did not enter the liver, passing through the digestive system, has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Since problems with the intestines can be the cause of serious diseases or their consequences, Jerusalem artichoke is an excellent tool for the prevention and treatment of ailments of this nature. Once in the intestine, inulin can:
- normalize and even improve the intestinal microflora, affecting the general condition of the body and human well-being;
- increase immunity and accelerate the body's fight against viruses and diseases;
- normalize stool, eliminating constipation;
- contribute to the treatment of inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract;
- accelerate the absorption of vitamins;
- fight pathogenic microflora.
Even a huge number of useful properties of Jerusalem artichoke does not exclude problems from its abuse. To eat Jerusalem artichoke with type 2 diabetes mellitus should be used with caution and only after consulting with your doctor. It is also undesirable to simultaneously treat diabetes with insulin injections and include an earthen pear in the diet.
The effect of inulin on the activity of bacteria in the intestines can cause exacerbation in people suffering from bloating and flatulence. In this case, you should be very careful when adding Jerusalem artichoke to food. In addition, the raw root crop has a rather rigid structure and can damage the walls of an unhealthy intestine if it enters the body in large quantities.
In each case, the benefits and harms of Jerusalem artichoke with diabetes are determined by the individual characteristics of this organism. It is very important that you seek the advice of a doctor before using this type of treatment. It is necessary to take into account diseases of the digestive system and remember moderation, only in this way will the maximum benefit of Jerusalem artichoke be with diabetes.
The juice
The most beneficial and least harmful to the body can bring grated Jerusalem artichoke tubers or juice from a vegetable. The preparation of such dishes does not require much time and effort, and the effectiveness of the product remains at the level.
Jerusalem artichoke juice can be obtained in several ways:
- pass the tubers through a juicer;
- grind root vegetables in a blender or meat grinder and squeeze the juice through a fine sieve or gauze;
- make juice in a special juice cooker.
Since raw Jerusalem artichoke can cause flatulence and bloating, a juice cooker is the safest option.
Syrup
With diabetes, Jerusalem artichoke syrup is used before meals. Prepare it from peeled and washed fruits. They are crushed in a blender or meat grinder, and then pour hot water at the rate of: 1 liter of water for 4 tablespoons of gruel from Jerusalem artichoke. Such a drink is left to brew for 3-4 hours and, if desired, add stevia for sweetness.
Ready-made syrup can also be purchased at pharmacies. When preparing it, pharmacists observe a suitable temperature regime. Thanks to this, the tool retains all the useful properties of Jerusalem artichoke.
Tea
A decoction or tea is made from the leaves, flowers and branches of a plant. They need to be thoroughly washed and ground, and then pour boiling water at the rate of: 1 cup boiling water per 1 teaspoon of raw materials. To insist such tea needs at least 10 minutes. For this drink, both fresh and dried flowers and leaves are suitable.
Boiled Jerusalem artichoke
In boiled form, the beneficial properties of Jerusalem artichoke are excellently preserved. In diabetes mellitus, the intake of inulin contained in a vegetable can be varied by boiling Jerusalem artichoke in salted water or with the addition of milk. Moreover, the similarity of the taste of dishes with ordinary potatoes allows you to eat mashed potatoes and salads from boiled root vegetables. You can even replace potatoes with earthen pears in salads such as vinaigrette, olivier or herring under a fur coat.
To prepare mashed Jerusalem artichoke, you need to take 3-4 medium fruits, wash, peel and pour hot water. After boiling add a small onion and bay leaf. When the fruits are ready, the water is drained along with bay leaf, and Jerusalem artichoke with onion is ground manually or using a blender. In the dish, you can add salt, herbs, as well as coriander and caraway seeds, which help improve digestion.
Braised dishes
Stewing Jerusalem artichoke is easy, you can use the usual recipe for potatoes. As a result, the dish will have a more delicate texture and a sweetish aftertaste. Very well ground pear goes well with sour cream fillings and sauces. A great option for diabetics is braised stew with Jerusalem artichoke.
For this dish, different combinations of vegetables and spices are suitable. You can take 1 carrot, 1 onion, 1 sweet bell pepper, 500 grams of Jerusalem artichoke, 1 potato, 200 grams of pumpkin, olive or butter for frying, salt and spices to taste.
All ingredients are diced into about 0.5 cm cubes and lightly fried in a deep pan or pan in a small amount of oil. At the same time, each next vegetable is added to the pan to the previous one in the following sequence: onions, carrots, peppers, Jerusalem artichoke, pumpkin. When all the products have been fried, pour boiled water out of it so that it covers them. At the same stage, you need to add spices, but do not add salt. It is better to salt the dish after it is removed from the heat. And you need to extinguish it for 5-7 minutes over low heat.
Baked Jerusalem artichoke
To use Jerusalem artichoke with diabetes as a casserole is not only very effective for treating the disease, but also very tasty. In a baked form, almost all vegetables retain a maximum of useful substances and taste characteristics, while allowing you to create new dishes and delight yourself with variety.
One of the most popular ways to prepare Jerusalem artichoke for diabetes is in the oven, this option involves a minimum of ingredients and effort. Only cheese, seasonings and herbs are added to the main product, you will also need a little oil to lubricate the baking dish and a few tablespoons of water. The tubers are peeled, washed and diced into 1 cm cubes. Then they should be boiled for 15 minutes, then thrown into a colander and let stand so that all the water flows out.
In the meantime, you can prepare the dishes for baking, greasing it with any oil. Jerusalem artichoke is spread on a greased form and hard or semi-hard cheese is rubbed on top so that a layer of cheese covers the root crops. Bake the dish for 10-15 minutes at a temperature of 180 ° C. Once the dish is cooked, it is sprinkled with spices and herbs.
Soups
Jerusalem artichoke can be a good complement to soups, like potatoes. These two products can be combined or replaced depending on taste preferences. Especially delicate texture is obtained if you cook mashed soup with Jerusalem artichoke instead of potatoes. Ground pear goes well with cheese soup.
Celery and garlic can be added to the Jerusalem artichoke soup. In this case, the garlic should be slightly fried in a pan until golden brown and only after that add to the dish.
Fritters
Fried food does not bring much benefit to the body, but if the health condition allows you to occasionally eat such dishes, then you can treat yourself to pancakes with a high content of inulin.
To prepare this dish, Jerusalem artichoke needs to be washed, peeled and grated. You can add finely chopped dill and chopped onion to it. Mix the salt and add the spices. After that, a little flour is added to the mixture. When the dough reaches a state of thick sour cream, it must be left to brew for 10-15 minutes.
For less damage, such pancakes can be cooked in a pancake pan with a non-stick coating. In this case, the amount of oil required is minimal, and sometimes you can do without it at all. The fire should be removed to medium or minimum so that the dish is cooked inside. Serve pancakes with sour cream and herbs.
Jerusalem artichoke from a pharmacy
Since root crops are poorly stored fresh, and their use is quite wide, some pharmacological companies produce biologically active additives (BAA) based on this vegetable. They have the same properties as fresh earthen pear, but have a longer shelf life.
The convenience of using this form of Jerusalem artichoke in saving time and effort on its cultivation, collection and preparation. However, it is worth remembering the content of additional auxiliary chemicals in capsules or tablets with Jerusalem artichoke.
Now you know how to use Jerusalem artichoke for diabetes. A variety of cooking methods and a rich chemical composition make the vegetable an excellent tool for combating the disease. With type 2 diabetes, Jerusalem artichoke can reduce the number of necessary insulin injections and improve the condition of the body. The beneficial effect of inulin from Jerusalem artichoke on the digestive tract increases immunity and cleanses the microflora.