Health Benefits of Sunchokes (2024)

FAQs

Are sunchokes good for you? ›

Sunchokes are a great source of iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium; are super high in fiber and low in carbohydrates; and contain inulin. Although inulin has certain healthful benefits, it can cause gassiness or bloating when eaten in excess.

Jerusalem artichokes are sweet, nutty, and potato-like, with even more health benefits then their root vegetable cousins. Moser says they're very high in vitamins, potassium, iron, and fiber.

Jerusalem artichokes are rich in many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Boost gut health. They are also rich in an important fiber called inulin. Inulin is a prebiotic fiber that feeds your good gut bacteria and improves the balance of your gut microbiome.

The vegetable is made of a carbohydrate called inulin, he explained, instead of the tuber's typical starch, and inulin has an Ex-Lax-like effect on the human digestive system—we can't digest it naturally, so our gut bacteria go to town. He added that it makes his stomach rumble.

Sunchokes enjoyed much popularity in Europe after their introduction, until they started developing a reputation for causing excessive amounts of flatulence. This actually has some basis in reality, as sunchokes contain a great deal of inulin, which does cause gas and bloating when eaten in excess.

There's a reason sunchokes have attracted the charming sobriquet of "fartichoke," and it's called inulin—a carbohydrate that our bodies can't digest, leaving bacteria to pick up the slack and resulting in some pretty antisocial gut activity, including abdominal cramping, gas, and diarrhea.

The bad thing about sunchokes? They contain inulin, which – when consumed raw – can lead to serious gas and bloating. As such, they've been unofficially titled “fartichokes”. While inulin sensitivity varies from person to person, it's best to avoid eating sunchokes raw altogether.

You can store sunchokes in the refrigerator crisper drawer by wrapping them in paper towels and placing them in a resealable plastic bag or reusable pouch.

Modern science concurs: “Boiling Jerusalem artichokes in an acid such as lemon juice or vinegar will hydrolyze the inulin to fructose and small amounts of glucose,” Rastall advises. So I gave it a try, boiling quarter-inch-thick sunchoke slices for 15 minutes in just enough lemon juice to cover them.

The white flesh is nutty, sweet, and crunchy like chestnuts when raw. When you bake them in their skins, they become more like potatoes with a mild taste of artichoke hearts. "Sunchokes are one of the best vegetables in the winter time and they last forever. They're so versatile because you can eat these raw.

Can artichokes detox your liver? ›

It also increases the production of bile, which helps remove harmful toxins from your liver ( 8 ). In one study, artichoke leaf extract decreased inflammation and liver cell death in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( 16 ). Studies in humans also show positive effects on liver health.

Liver Health

A few small studies have shown that artichoke can improve liver function for people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The significant side effect of Jerusalem Artichokes is the presence of dietary inulin fibre. As this substance is non-digestible, there are chances that people are intolerant to it. Thus, people intolerant to inulin may experience indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and flatulence.

These results suggest that heliangin derived from Jerusalem artichoke leaves could play a role in the prevention of inflammatory in macrophage and VECs, which might help to prevent atherosclerosis.

​ Jerusalem Artichoke is likely suitable for a low histamine diet. Jerusalem Artichoke is likely low in histamine and other amines and does not trigger release of the body's natural histamine.

“Sunchokes have a low glycemic index, which is why they are considered to be a great food choice for diabetics—they don't cause blood sugar to spike.

Like many root vegetables, sunchokes should be thoroughly washed and scrubbed with a vegetable brush before eating and cooking. A sunchoke's skin is edible, so you don't need to peel them, but sunchokes are often peeled prior to making dishes such as soups or purees to ensure a more uniform texture.

The significant side effect of Jerusalem Artichokes is the presence of dietary inulin fibre. As this substance is non-digestible, there are chances that people are intolerant to it. Thus, people intolerant to inulin may experience indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and flatulence.

There's no doubt about it, sunchokes are a little funny-looking. They get quite a few sideways glances and puzzled furrowed brows. Like potatoes, sunchokes are a starchy root vegetable that grow under the soil. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes but tend to come out of the ground very knobby or bulbous.