Jerusalem artichoke powder: reviews, application

By spring, everyone is deficient in useful nutrients, in particular vitamins. But there is a wonderful plant Jerusalem artichoke, which in the early spring can make up for this deficiency. It is often grown on household plots, traded in spontaneous markets. Industrial Jerusalem artichoke powder is also on sale. It also provides many benefits to the body and is easily available at drugstores and health food stores.

Nutritional value, composition and calorie content of Jerusalem artichoke powder

The benefits and harms of Jerusalem artichoke powder have long been known in the medical environment. Jerusalem artichoke flour is another name. This is a unique and healthy food product containing low-calorie protein (1,5 kcal / 1 g), has the highest concentration of potassium and silicon among other vegetables.

A feature of Jerusalem artichoke powder is the high content of inulin. It is a useful polysaccharide, mostly consisting of fructose (95%). Under the influence of gastric enzymes, the acidic environment is hydrolyzed. As a result, it turns into fructose, for the assimilation of which the body does not need insulin. Thus, it replenishes the energy deficit of tissues, and the product brings invaluable benefits to diabetic patients.

Thanks to him, the development of many cardiovascular diseases, obesity, intoxication is prevented. Inulin has a complexing effect, that is, it combines with radioactive elements, heavy metals, poisons and removes them from the body.

The cleansing properties and benefits of Jerusalem artichoke powder are enhanced by the presence of pectin substances in it. They adsorb toxic substances, “bad” cholesterol on their surface and remove them from the body. Pectin also has other beneficial properties, for example, it is astringent and gel-forming, stimulates the vital activity of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines and helps to remove pathogenic microflora.

What is useful Jerusalem artichoke powder

Inulin also benefits from other properties. The environment is heavily polluted with toxic elements that penetrate the body and cause dysbacteriosis. This disease has become very widespread in recent times and has acquired the proportions of an epidemic. The age factor also affects the human body. Over the years, the number of bifidobacteria in the human intestine decreases naturally. Dried Jerusalem artichoke powder helps to restore a healthy balance of microflora, being a useful breeding ground for our friendly bacteria.

In turn, the normal intestinal microflora, enriched with a complex of bifidobacteria, improves liver function, cleanses the blood of toxic elements and prevents the absorption of nitrogenous compounds into the bloodstream. It helps to regulate the acid-base balance, which prevents the development of putrefactive and pathogenic bacteria. Jerusalem artichoke powder also benefits immunity.

Neutralizing toxic compounds inside a person, the powder thereby strengthens the body, activates its defenses. Regulates the functions and processes of the gastrointestinal tract, improves the absorption and absorption of nutrients, including vitamins (up to 70%), trace elements, reduces the GI (glycemic index) of incoming food. Increases resistance to intestinal infections, reduces appetite, cravings for sweet, refined foods, and provides significant assistance in the treatment of obesity.

It improves the functioning of many internal organs, primarily the kidneys, liver, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system. It nourishes the heart muscle with potassium, prevents the development of atherosclerosis, and minimizes the risk of cancer. Helps reduce allergic manifestations, prevents potential allergens (proteins and protein-carbohydrate complexes) from entering the bloodstream, restores impaired immune system functions. Neutralizes the symptoms of flatulence, many other diseases and disorders in the body.

The benefits of Jerusalem artichoke flour are also known in home cosmetology. Jerusalem artichoke powder masks protect against age-related changes, acne, nourish the skin of the face.

How to take Jerusalem artichoke powder

Jerusalem artichoke powder is used as a useful tool in the fight against dysbacteriosis, primarily in children and the elderly. To restore the normal intestinal microflora, it is enough to eat one tablespoon of the powder per day, using it as a food supplement. One tablespoon of powder (7,5 g) contains up to 6 million bifidobacteria, as well as dietary fiber (1 g), sodium (6 mg), carbohydrates (6 g).

For both types of diabetes, 1-2 teaspoons should be taken with meals. This will reduce the GI of food entering the body, and also reduce the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis.

Steam 1-2 tablespoons of Jerusalem artichoke powder with 0,5 liters of boiling water. Drink a cup 2-3 times a day on an empty stomach with exacerbation of chronic diseases, weakened immunity.

Take 1 tablespoon of Jerusalem artichoke powder and licorice rhizomes. Boil the mixture in 0,5 l of silicon water for half an hour. Strained solution to drink 150 ml before meals.

In a mild form of allergy, a decoction (kissel) made from silicon water and Jerusalem artichoke flour is beneficial. During the day you need to drink up to 2 cups of the drink. The same remedy, if you add honey to it, will help with arteriosclerosis. Take the same.

With allergies, treatment according to the following scheme helps. Infuse for 5 hours in a thermos a tablespoon of powder per cup of boiling silicon water. Take 1,5 tablespoons up to 7 times daily on an empty stomach. Duration of admission – 2-3 weeks. After the same break, you can repeat.

In the recovery period after suffering strokes, heart attacks, it is good to use this very useful remedy. Soak in the evening (at 16 pm) in a cup of silicon water 3 tablespoons of the powder. Add finely chopped walnuts (3 pieces) and a tablespoon of raisins to the swollen gruel. In the morning at 8 o’clock eat the dish on an empty stomach. The duration of the course is at least 2-3 months.

For insomnia, porridge made from Jerusalem artichoke powder is beneficial. There is it up to 5 times a day for 50 g.

Bring 1,5 liters of silicon water to a boil. At this point, add 0,4 kg of Jerusalem artichoke powder, mix. Add honey, drink hot for bronchitis, loss of voice.

With hyperacid gastritis, you can prepare a useful remedy. 100 g of Jerusalem artichoke flour pour 1 liter of boiled silicon water. Slowly simmer on fire for about an hour. Add to cooled mixture:

• honey – 2 st. l .;
• ground nuts (walnuts) – 2 tbsp. l.;
• fennel leaves – 1 tbsp. l.;
• salt – 1 tsp.

Divide the resulting mixture into 3 servings. Eat before the main meal. The duration of treatment is a week.

For diabetes, dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of the powder in 0,5 liters of hot infusion (on cranberry leaves), filter and drink before meals several times a day.

The use of Jerusalem artichoke powder in cooking

Jerusalem artichoke flour is not only beneficial in medicine, but is also used in various recipes for culinary dishes. It helps to make them as interesting and healthy as possible. It also improves not only the taste of food, but also the process of its assimilation. Jerusalem artichoke powder is a safe, savory seasoning that has an exquisite taste and the complete absence of preservatives, it brings only benefits to the body.

The powder goes well with sweet dishes, so it can be added to pastries, including bread, confectionery, as well as cereals, yogurts, and cocktails. Due to the presence of the Jerusalem artichoke in its composition, homemade cakes do not get stale for a long time. The fact is that fructose, which is in the powder, helps to maintain the freshness of the product.

How to make Jerusalem artichoke powder at home

Jerusalem artichoke, extracted from the ground, is very poorly stored. Therefore, when grown on an industrial scale, the best way to store it is thermal (or cryogenic) drying and subsequent processing into powder in ball mills.

Before drying, the Jerusalem artichoke is thoroughly washed, crushed into shavings. The thermal method consists in long-term exposure of raw materials to high temperatures (up to +50 C). During cryogenic processing, shavings of Jerusalem artichoke are dehydrated using low temperatures. At the same time, the raw materials are enriched with biologically active elements. Thus, the concentration of mineral substances in the cryopowder increases significantly. In addition, such flour can be stored for a long time without loss of useful properties.

At home, you can prepare Jerusalem artichoke powder according to the same technological scheme. Remove the tubers from the ground, wash with a stiff brush, dry. Cut into very thin plates, dry in an electric dryer, stove, in any other way. Then grind in a coffee grinder to a powder. The benefits of homemade Jerusalem artichoke powder are much greater than those of the industrial counterpart.

How to store Jerusalem artichoke powder

Homemade powder is stored in an airtight dark glass container in a cool place. Its shelf life is short. In order for the product to benefit, and not harm, it is necessary to harvest in small quantities.

You can buy ready-made Jerusalem artichoke powder. In this case, the storage time is significantly increased. Its advantages include low cost and availability. One package is enough, as a rule, for a month.

Contraindications to admission

Before starting treatment with Jerusalem artichoke flour, you should consult your doctor on how to properly take Jerusalem artichoke powder. Individual intolerance to the components of the powder is possible. When consumed in large quantities, symptoms of flatulence appear.

Conclusion

Jerusalem artichoke powder is an affordable and useful tool that helps to avoid many diseases. You can buy it at a pharmacy or make your own. In any case, this will be a step towards gaining good health.