Diabetic Information
Sunchokes and Diabetics
Super Sunchokes Are Good for Diabetics
Sunchokes, or fouku kikuimo in Japanese, are unique, knobby-looking tubers with a slightly nutty, artichoke-like flavor. I say unique, because unlike most root vegetables, sunchokes’ main carbohydrate isn’t starch. Instead, sunchokes store inulin (not to be confused with insulin) which is a carbohydrate that is a polymer consisting of fructose units instead of glucose units. In simpler words, this specific quality of the funny-looking root vegetable makes them great for glucose control and suitable for diabetics, as well as those of us seeking a low carbohydrate diet. SavvyTokyo.com
Control Blood Sugar and Keep Fit With Prebiotic Sunchokes
A 10% sunchoke diet per day, though, might be overkill. Tamara Duker Freuman, RD, CDN, registered dietitian and clinical preceptor for the Dietetic Internship Program at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College, agrees, noting that similar tests would need to be performed in humans to really know whether eating sunchokes could similarly lessen risk of diabetes in people, and if so, how much would be needed to cut diabetes off at the pass. Besides, rather than overloading your diet with sunchokes in quest of glucose control, it would be more reasonable to simply add them, in moderation, to the list of healthful nondrug food and remedies that you already know help prevent diabetes.
“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. The new research from Japan, however, is suggesting that sunchokes work on a metabolic level to help prevent diabetes and fatty liver disease,” Freuman explained. “That’s an ambitious claim.” Until human studies can confirm the findings of these Japanese researchers, Freuman offered these health-boosting reasons to enjoy the little tubers. BottomLineInc.com
Tips from Survivor Jane
Jerusalem artichokes, it appears can be used for those who suffer from diabetes to decrease or eliminate the need for medicinal insulin, which in a survival situation would be a god-sent in a time when insulin will be scarce or any at all.
So what are the benefits of the Sunchoke? For those who have insulin resistant diabetes (Type 2), from what I understand their carbohydrates are stored as something called insulin. Inulin (not insulin) found in Sunchokes is a fructose that the body breaks down slowly so blood sugar doesn't rapidly increase. And, for those who are non-diabetic by eating Sunchokes, it can help relieve constipation, aid in weight loss or weight control, normalize metabolism, remove toxins from body, strengthen the immune system and, act as a tonic for cardiovascular system. SurvivorJane.com
Sunchokes: A Humble Food With Many Health Benefits
A good source of iron, potassium and thiamin, sunchokes are low in calories and high in fiber. The primary carbohydrate they contain is inulin, which has little effect on blood sugar and is therefore beneficial for diabetes or pre-diabetes. DonnieYance.com
Additional Articles:
https://www.medicinalplantsarchive.us/jerusalem-artichoke/inulin-and-diabetes-mellitus.html