Topinambour syrup: what is it, composition, benefits and harms

In fact, few people know about this syrup, because this product is not popular. Its main feature is that it can replace sugar. Almost everyone knows that refined sugar brings harm to the body, but most can not afford to give up sweets. Topinambur syrup will be a great alternative, in addition, it is incredibly delicious and useful.

As the name suggests, the syrup is made from the roots of the topinambour. The plant itself is very similar to the sunflower, and its fruits look like ginger. They taste like potatoes, but are much sweeter.

The plant is native to North America, where it has been cultivated for centuries by Indians. It appeared on the European continent only at the beginning of the 17th century, but quickly became very popular and now topinambour is known all over the world for its useful properties.

The sweetness of the tubers is due to the fructans, which are found only in topinambour. These elements behave in the body quite differently from fructose or glucose, which to a great extent distinguishes topinambour from other plants.

Composition and calories

The peculiarity of the syrup is that it is cooked at a temperature of 50-60 ° C. And this means that all nutrients are preserved in its composition, namely:

• B vitamins, A, C and E.
• Trace elements: iron, magnesium, calcium, etc.
• Organic acids: malic, succinic and citric.

The energetic value is 250-270 kcal per 100 g of the product.

There are no fats and proteins in the topinambour syrup, only carbohydrates, which are about 70 g per 100 g of the product.

The taste of the syrup resembles young flower honey, in its production does not use sugar, sometimes lemon juice is added, which gives a characteristic sourness. The syrup does not have a pronounced smell, so it can be used in the preparation of various dishes, as well as used instead of sugar in coffee, tea and drinks.

What is the usefulness of Jerusalem artichoke syrup?

General benefits

Topinambour is a treasure trove of vitamins and minerals, which makes it quite a valuable product. Characteristically, the root vegetable itself can be eaten in any form, both raw and cooked.

Benefits:

1. Syrup will be useful in the treatment of GI disorders. Thus, it activates the metabolism in the body, which allows you to reduce weight, fights flatulence, gently cleanses the liver and normalizes the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Topinambour syrup contains a sufficient amount of potassium, which has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, it normalizes the blood pressure and improves the heart function. Among other things, potassium is part of the electrolyte and is involved in conducting signals of the central nervous system.
3. Magnesium, like potassium, has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and improves its condition.
4. Sodium regulates the water balance, which is undoubtedly very important for the body, especially during diets and dietary restrictions.
5. Another important element in the topinambour is zinc, which is necessary for the synthesis of insulin. It takes part in the regenerative processes.

Topinambour syrup is often prescribed for heart diseases:

• It has a mild stimulating effect on the work of the heart;
• Lowers the level of cholesterol;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• relieves headaches.

It is impossible not to mention the benefits of fiber, it removes toxins from the body, perfectly cleanses the stomach from the remains of food. Very often you can find on sale even separate preparations based on topinambour fiber.

The vitamins in topinambour syrup also have an effect on the body:

1. If you use topinambour syrup regularly as a supplement, you can greatly boost your immune system.
2. The role of nicotinic acid or vitamin PP is difficult to overestimate, since it takes part in the formation of many hormones in the body: estrogen, insulin, etc. Its sufficient amount affects the optimal weight.
3. B vitamins. It includes many water-soluble vitamins that play a key role in cellular metabolism.

For women.

Despite the above beneficial qualities of the syrup, it has a special effect on the female body.

The first thing worth noting is the presence of vitamins A and E, which are also called "vitamins of youth.

1. Retinol (vitamin A) is known for helping the cells of the dermis to renew themselves more quickly and actively. This makes the skin soft and supple, so it is included in many cosmetics. In particular, retinol is used in ointments, which are used to treat burns and skin diseases. It is also known as a natural antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals and prevents premature aging.
2. Vitamin E. The value of this vitamin is so great that it is available as a stand-alone medication and is included in most vitamin complexes. Vitamin E is a powerful natural antioxidant. It takes part in the synthesis of most hormones, promotes rapid regeneration of skin cells, hair and nails, increases cellular defense mechanisms. Regular sufficient intake of vitamin E promotes skin rejuvenation, strengthens hair and makes nails strong. In addition, it will greatly ease the condition during PMS. And for women after 40-45 years it is prescribed to alleviate the menopausal state.

For men

For the male body, the use of topinambour syrup is also important. It contains potassium, which has a significant effect on the cardiovascular system, which is important for men who are over 40. It reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and myocardial infarction.

It also contains substances that have a beneficial effect on potency and enhance it, which is important for some age groups. In addition, they reduce the likelihood of developing prostate adenoma.

In pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a special condition for women, in which doctors often prescribe a diet and urge to give up eating certain foods. At this time it is important not only to consume healthy products, but also those that help to cope with related problems.

First, perhaps it should be noted that the syrup should not be used with individual intolerance, low blood pressure and flatulence.

Important! Topinambour does not absorb pesticides and harmful chemicals from the soil, so it is an environmentally friendly product, which is especially important during pregnancy.

The benefits of topinambour syrup for pregnant women:

• Reduces the likelihood of blood clots and clots;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• Improves skin elasticity, preventing the formation of stretch marks;
• Improves the function of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Thanks to the presence of fiber removes toxins from the body, which is very important;
• strengthens the immune system;
• reduces the risk of developing hypoxia in the unborn child;
• Cleanses the liver and reduces the burden on it.

When breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is an important moment in your baby's life. It is a well-known fact that mother's milk protects the baby during the first six months of its life. Also, during breastfeeding the mother should strictly follow the diet, because what she eats directly affects not only the proper development of the child, but also his health in the future.

Topinambour syrup does not cause allergic reactions, so you can and should use it while breastfeeding. Vitamin A improves the mother's lactation, as well as normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, removes toxins and detoxes.

For children

Topinambour syrup is also useful for children, as mentioned earlier, it is a completely clean environmental product, there are no harmful chemicals and pesticides in it.

You can start giving it as a food as early as your first complementary feeding. It is an excellent substitute for sugar, so the syrup can be used in the preparation of drinks and desserts.

The benefits of topinambour syrup for children:

• enhances the immune system;
• Improves the defense mechanisms of the cells;
• normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Lowers blood sugar.

When losing weight

Topinambour syrup is quite often included in diets for weight loss. Usually it replaces sugar.

Topinambour itself is very effective when it is necessary to correct the weight:

1. It contains fiber, which stimulates the peristalsis of the stomach. It removes detergents, toxins and leftovers, and dulls hunger.
2. The product improves fat and carbohydrate metabolism and lowers insulin levels.
3. Sodium regulates water metabolism, removing excess fluid from the body.
4. Root vegetable reduces the accumulation of fats in the body, removes salts.

However, it is important to remember that the use of topinambour syrup will not give an instant effect, the accumulated weight will go away gradually. To get rid of extra pounds, the syrup can be used not only as a supplement or sugar substitute, but also to drink it on an empty stomach before dinner or lunch.

Topinambour syrup in medicine

Since the syrup contains such rare polymers as fructans and inulin, it is actively used for therapeutic purposes.

In Diabetes Mellitus.

The World Health Organization has already ranked diabetes as the most common disease in the world. Sufferers of this disease, not only need to be medicated, but also need to adhere to a strict diet in order to overcome the disease.

To better understand the benefits of topinambour syrup for diabetes, it is necessary to know what the ailment is. So, the pathology is characterized by a lack of energy from the food consumed. It is broken down in the body into substances, one of which is glucose. In order for it to be digested correctly, you need insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. If it is lacking, this does not happen - glucose is not converted into energy, and therefore remains unclaimed, so the blood sugar content rises significantly.

The peculiarity of topinambour syrup is its inulin content, which is practically absent in other products (it is important not to confuse it with insulin). Thanks to it, the syrup is recognized not only as a "folk remedy", but also approved by official medicine.

The benefits of the syrup for diabetes:

1. Inulin, getting into the human body, as if it collects all the excess glucose in the blood and removes it, thus regulating its amount.
2. The syrup contains many organic acids, which bind toxins and remove them from the body. For example, topinambour syrup will quickly help get rid of acetone and ketone bodies completely.
3. Inulin, once in the body, penetrates the blood already as fructose, which does not need insulin to enter the body cells. This is very important for diabetics because fructose can completely replace glucose and normalize metabolism.
4. In addition to the above, inulin not only removes glucose from the body, but also contributes to its penetration into the cells.
5. Syrup from the ground pear also contributes directly to the work of the pancreas itself, which affects the production of insulin for glucose absorption.

In addition, the syrup contains many vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the normal functioning of the body, which is important in dietary restriction and treatment of the disease.

Important: The glycemic index of topinambour syrup is 16 units.

In pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a severe disease characterized by pancreatic gland malfunction due to metabolic failure or circulatory disorders in the lower section. About half of the cases of the disease are associated with alcohol abuse. To successfully treat the ailment, in addition to the use of medication, you should, as in the case of diabetes, adhere to a diet and use the means of traditional medicine.

The benefits of topinambur syrup in pancreatitis:

• Has a positive effect on the work of the pancreas;
• removes inflammation;
• normalizes metabolic processes in the body;
• removes toxic substances;
• Prevents the development of diabetes;
• has antioxidant properties.

When the disease, you can use the root vegetable in any form, except fried or sauerkraut. In this case, it is possible to provoke a deterioration of the patient's condition.

It is best to use topinambour syrup throughout the day for 15-20 minutes before a meal.

When gastritis

To understand whether it is possible to use topinambour syrup with gastritis, it is necessary to know about its effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract:

1. As mentioned earlier, its composition includes inulin, which binds toxic substances and removes them from the body, thereby normalizing the work of the stomach.
2. Inulin stimulates the motility and peristalsis of the stomach, it also has a choleretic effect.
3. Topinambour syrup prevents the harmful effects of bacteria and viruses on the digestive organs and is able to kill almost all kinds of parasites.
4. Clinical studies have shown that the syrup copes with nausea, vomiting, bitterness in the mouth and heartburn.

Specialists say that due to such properties, topinambour syrup with gastritis not only can be eaten, but it is also necessary. It is often used as an additional remedy in the treatment of gastritis, ulcers and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, topinambour syrup significantly reduces the acidity of gastric juice, which is important for the overall condition of the patient and strengthens the immune system. When treating gastritis, the syrup should be consumed 10-15 minutes before a meal. Contraindication is only an individual intolerance of the patient.

Culinary applications

Topinambour is widely used in cooking, in its characteristics it is very similar to potatoes, but, unlike it, it contains much less starch. Therefore, the dishes cooked with topinambour are much tastier and healthier. If we talk about the cooking technology, it is almost identical to that used for potatoes.

As for the topinambour syrup, most often it is used as an additive to dishes and as a substitute for sugar. Topinambour syrup will be just a godsend for patients with diabetes, pancreatitis and gastritis.

It is used in the preparation of sweet dishes and drinks, because it is almost odorless and easily dissolves in water. It is also indispensable for cooking vegetarian dishes and during fasting.

What to replace it with
Considering that syrup is most often used as an alternative to sugar, you can replace it in the recipe with these products

1. Maple syrup. It is obtained from the sweet maple, this syrup is very popular in the territory of North America. It is used not only as an additive and ingredient for sweet dishes, but also in the preparation of meats and salads. Its disadvantage is that it is quite difficult to find on store shelves.
2. Honey. This product has many useful properties and has been known since ancient times. It is used both as a supplement and for the preparation of sweet dishes and drinks. Like maple syrup, it can be used when cooking meat and vegetables.
3. Maltose syrup is a product derived from cornmeal. Although little known to the general consumer, it is widely used in the manufacture of dietary and baby food. At home, molasses can be used instead of sugar in the preparation of jam.

Harms and contraindications

Despite the many positive properties, topinambour syrup can cause harm, and also has a number of contraindications for use:

1. Individual intolerance. Syrup should not be taken by those who are allergic to this root vegetable.
2. Also, it should not be taken by people who have a pathology of flatulence. The use of syrup will only increase the meteoric reactions, which will eventually harm the digestive system of the body.
3. When the blood pressure is low. So, if the blood pressure is lower or about 100/60, then you should also refrain from using syrup from topinambour, because this will lead to even more pronounced hypotension.
4. In pregnancy and low blood pressure, it is not recommended for women to take the syrup, because it can cause a delay in the development of the fetus.

For gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, pancreatitis and ulcers, you should get a doctor's consultation before using it.

How to choose and store

Topinambour syrup may contain directly the juice of the tuber, lemon juice and water. Therefore, when buying, you should carefully read the composition, except for the listed components, it should not contain anything!

Topinambour syrup can be stored in a sealed container for up to one year from the date of manufacture. After opening, keep it in the refrigerator according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

How to take Jerusalem artichoke syrup

There are no restrictions in taking the syrup. It can be used in different ways - as a supplement and replacing sugar, the main thing is to be tasty.

For the prevention of diseases or as a means to lose weight usually take 1 tbsp. syrup 30 minutes before a meal. For those who are engaged in sports, doctors recommend consuming it immediately after a workout, it will enhance the burning of fat and replenish energy.

When consuming it, it is important to stick to reasonable amounts.

How to make Jerusalem artichoke syrup at home

One of the problems of using topinambour in cooking is its short shelf life. The plant itself is quite unpretentious in its care. It can grow in poor soils and in one place for more than 20 years. The best time for harvesting root crops is autumn, but they can also be harvested in early spring, before they give sprouts. Experts advise doing this in April-May, some believe that the root crops that spent the winter in the ground, more useful and have a better taste.

To make syrup from topinambur at home, you can use several recipes, the first would be "classic" using lemon juice.

If the root vegetable came into the house from your own garden, then before cooking it should be thoroughly cleaned from the soil. You can use it both with and without the peel. The first method is preferable, since then there will be more inulin in the syrup.

"Classic" recipe with lemon

1. Clean the topinambour tubers from the soil. If it is decided to make syrup without peeling the tuber, it is better to divide the particularly branched parts into fragments for easier cleaning.
2. After that, chop the sliced tubers, turning them into a puree. To do this, you can use a meat grinder, grater or blender.
3. Next, get the juice, this can be done in a juicer or squeeze by hand with gauze.
4. Place the juice in a container and put it on the fire. Boil it and add sugar is not necessary! Bring it to a temperature of 50-60 ° C, and then the fire to minimize, so keep it for 10 minutes.
5. Take it off the heat and let it cool in natural conditions, this procedure should be repeated several times until it becomes thick.
6. At the final stage, before the next heating, add to the syrup lemon juice at the rate of the juice of 1 citrus per 1 kg of tubers of topinambur.
7. To make the syrup transparent and to get rid of fibers and other particles, strain it through gauze or flannel cloth.
8. Immediately after the last heating, pour the syrup into sterilized containers and close tightly.

It should be noted that the preparation process is quite tedious and long. The containers must necessarily be sterilized, including the lids.

Quick preparation of syrup without additives

When boiling the "real" syrup do not use boiling, because a lot of vitamins are lost. But boiling helps to get the product faster, in this case will still retain most of the useful substances.

Prepare the juice in the same way as in the previous recipe. Then pour it into an enamel bowl, put it on medium heat and boil it for 20 minutes. After that, let it cool, and then repeat the procedure.

If in the first case the preservative is lemon juice, in the second it is a long boil.

Again, the containers must be sterilized with steam, and the lids must be boiled for 10 minutes. After that, the syrup can be stored from 6 months to a year in a cool, dark place.

Interesting facts about topinambour

1. Many farmers plant the plant not only to get a harvest. Topinambour is able to restore poor soils and their structure.
2. On household plots this plant can be used as a "green hedge" and protection against the spread of weeds.
3. Often it is used as fodder for chickens, so they will lay more eggs.
4. Topinambour has a second name - "earthen pear", because the tubers are very similar to this fruit.
5. In Russia, the plant was originally grown exclusively as a medicinal plant. The tubers were not used as food.
6. In traditional medicine, topinambour is used on an industrial scale to produce inulin, which is used to treat diabetes.
7. Topinambour tubers are fried; they taste like chips. They are very common in the U.S., so you can find them in any store. It is also used to make diet coffee.
8. It is often used in cosmetology to make face creams and ointments that smooth out wrinkles and make the skin more elastic.

Topinambour syrup photo