Yacon in Summary

What is Yacon?

Yacon is an Andean root that grows at altitudes less than 9,300 feet high. Its tuber grows underground and has white or yellowish transparent flesh. The color of the fleshy root can be cream, yellow or orange and, in some cases, can include streaks of purple.

It is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows between 1.5 m to 2.5 m height. The plant produces large storage roots, also known as Yacon roots, normally eaten raw off the ground like a fruit due to its pleasant and slightly sweet taste.

The roots are traditionally used by rural people as refreshment during field work, or occasionally for skin rejuvenation and to relieve intestinal, hepatic and renal disorders.

The root is composed mostly of water and fructo-oligosaccharides, commonly known as FOS. For those who are not familiar, FOS is a type of sugar that has a lower caloric value than other sugar types, approximately 25% to 35% of the calories of normal carbohydrates.

The consumption of FOS is also known to promote better health of the intestinal tract because of the stimulation of beneficial bifidobacterium in the colon.

What is Yacon good for?

The main benefits Yacon can provide are:

• Lowers blood sugar
• Controls weight
• Suppresses appetite
• Prevents and fights osteoporosis
• Prevents and controls hyperglycemia
• Laxative
• Promotes gut health
• And much more…

FOS is also recognized as a soluble fiber which causes several favorable effects during digestion:

• An increase of intestinal peristaltic movements
• A reduction in time of intestinal transit
• An increase in the amount of water retained by the fecal matter
• An osmotic effect similar to a laxative

Modern medicine recognized Yacon as an effective agent in treatments against obesity, as it avoids the accumulation of fat in the body.

How does Yacon work?

The root contains an indigestible sugar, which means that although it has a sweet flavor, the roots contain fewer calories than would be expected. For this simple reason, the specific sugar contained in the Yacon roots does not influence the blood sugar level, hence its potential use for diabetics and in body weight control.

The undigested portion of Yacon serves as food for “friendly” bacteria, such as bifidobacterium and lactobacillus species, in the colon. Clinical studies have shown that administering FOS can increase the number of these friendly bacteria in the colon while simultaneously reducing the population of harmful bacteria.

What does Yacon contain?

The main nutrient which makes Yacon so valuable is FOS. This complex sugar, similar to inulin, is associated with the health benefits of Yacon.

It is important to mention that Yacon also contains other sugars and that its composition depends on the manufacturing process, so much of the health benefit can finally be expected from a Yacon product. If a product contains regular quantities of other sugars as well, those will strongly reduce the health benefits.

Is Yacon safe?

Yes, the only thing to consider is that extensive use may cause flatulence.

Yacon:

• Is a food
• Has no toxic actions
• Has no negative side effects
• Has no risk of overdose
• Can be consumed by pregnant women as well
• Is good for children, adults and elders

Other things to know

Yacon roots are delicious, crisp and sweet-tasting. Their texture and flavor have been described as a cross between a fresh apple and watermelon, which is why Yacon is sometimes referred to as the “apple of the earth”.

Studies also found that if the leaves are used in tea, it has the effect of avoiding the peaks when eating sugary or starchy food.