Jerusalem artichoke - Nature Cures®

Also known as Helianthus tuberosus, earth apple, sunchoke, sun root or topinambour.

The Jerusalem artichoke (not to be confused with the globe thistle like artichoke) is the tuber of a species of sunflower native to eastern North America. It actually has no relation to Jerusalem, and it is not even a type of artichoke, though both are members of the daisy family.

The name was derived from a corruption of the Italian ‘girasola articiocco‘, the sunflower artichoke, Girasola meaning ‘turning to the sun,’ an allusion to the habit it is supposed to have in common with many of the sunflower species. The North Italian word articiocco – modern carciofo – comes through the Spanish, from the Arabic Al-Kharshuf. False etymology has corrupted the word in many languages: it has been derived (though wrongly) in English from ‘choke’ and ‘heart,’ or the Latin hortus, a garden, and in French, the form artichaut has been connected with chaud, hot, and chou, a cabbage.

The Jerusalem artichoke is rich in the carbohydrate inulin (76%), which is a polymer of the monosaccharide fructose. Inulin contains fructans, which are food for beneficial bacteria in the gut but if the tubers are stored for any length of time, they will digest the inulin into its component fructose.

Inulin (not to be confused with the hormone insulin) is a zero calorie, saccharine, and inert carbohydrate, which does not metabolise inside the human body, and therefore, make this tuber an ideal sweetener for diabetics and dieters when consumed fresh. They are an especially good addition to soups.

Jerusalem artichokes contain 10% protein which is more than most other root vegetables and it’s particularly high in the sulphur-containing essential amino acids cysteine, homocysteine, methionine and taurine. These components are essential for maintaining the flexibility of connective tissue as well as helping the liver carry out detoxification which helps protect against cancer.

It also promotes regular bowel movements which protects against bowel cancer. Regular consumption can lower the blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels due to rich potassium content and prevent anaemia due to its high iron content. It lowers fats in the blood and helps to protect and cleanse the liver and protects against hepatitis and skin cancer.

Jerusalem artichokes have 650 mg potassium per 150 g. They are also high in iron and contain vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B3 (niacin), phosphorus and copper.

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