GLOBE ARTICHOKES AND JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES

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Gluten intolerance – myth or misunderstood?

Saturday, The Age, June 28, 2014

Andrew Masterson

For complete article, see link at the bottom of this post.

This is a very interesting article about gluten being the possible cause of intestinal problems (celiac disease) and the relationship of intestinal problems and FODMAP (The acronym stands for “fermentable oligo-saccharides, disaccharides, mono-saccharides and polyols).

If I eat artichokes, I get cramp and wind’.

But, what type of artichokes?

There are two types of artichokes, the leafy Globe artichokes and the tuber Jerusalem artichokes. Globe artichokes have NO relation of the tuber-like, Jerusalem artichoke.

In my experience problem “artichokes” are more than often he tuber variety, the Jerusalem artichoke.

In many other cultures when one mentions “artichoke”, Globe artichoke is the one that they think of. The Globe artichoke is considered to be the ‘true’ artichoke – one of a large member of the thistle family. Globe artichokes are beneficial – liver, kidneys.

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The tuber artichoke contains a surprising lack of starch, but is rich in the carbohydrate (76% inulin), which is a polymer of the monosaccharide fructose. Also if they are stored for a length of time they convert their inulin into its component fructose and this is the possible offending factor.  T

The Jerusalem artichoke grow as tubers  of tall, herbaceous perennial  plant that grows up to 3 m high with a yellow flower like a sunflower and this is why the tubers are also referred to as a sun-choke. In Italy the tubers are called Girasole- sunfllower because of  the plant’s resemblance to sunflowers.

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As a person who appreciates and offers stuffed Globe artichokes to many friends during the artichoke season, I want them to know that they are not likely going to suffer.

REFERENCES

Low FODMAP Food: www.StephanieClairmont.com

Gluten intolerance – myth or misunderstood?

Recipes for stuffed artichokes on All Things Sicilian and More:

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