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Yacón Syrup

Yacon syrup is a sweetener that is actually good for you! It makes you feel full, increases good cholesteroal, feeds the good bacteria in the gut, helps weight loss and is low GI.

The yacón root, from Peru is a distant relative of the sunflower. It grows in the warm, temperate Andean valleys at elevations below 3,500m. Its delicious edible tubers, which are sweet and low in calories, hold a variety of benefits. Yacón syrup, pressed from the roots, has a sweet flavor, and is used as an alternative glucose free sweetener and prebiotic with few calories.

The potential for yacón is as a dietetic fiber due to its unique carbohydrate composition. Most other roots and tubers store carbohydrates as starch - a polymer of glucose. Yacón stores carbohydrate as fructooligosaccharide (FOS) - a polymer composed mainly of fructose.

Dried yacón root contains 50-70% FOS and low proportion of simple sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose and sucrose). The human body has no enzyme to hydrolyze FOS, so it passes through the digestive tract unmetabolized, providing few calories, an advantage to dieters and diabetics.

Yacón also acts as a prebiotic. The undigested portion of yacón serves as food for “friendly ”bacteria in the colon while simultaneously reducing the population of harmful bacteria such as Candida albicans. Yacón also facilitates increased absorption of calcium and magnesium, and improved elimination of toxic compounds. Preclinical studies indicate an increase in bone density after consumption of FOS. Improved absorption of vitamins, such as the B complexes. Yacón tuber provides an excellent balance of the 20 amino acids. It has one of the highest levels of potassium found in any plant, and high levels of calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. Yacón is a useful food for managing weight control and obesity. It also enhances our immune system. Yacón has proven useful in preventing the following conditions: acne, colon disease, constipation, diabetes, low immune system, poor gastrointestinal health, obesity, osteoporosis.

Data from http://www.raw-chocolate.net/superfoods.php?low-GI=yacon

Yacon syrup is also an effective aid to weight loss. From the Aprl 2009 European health journal Clinical Nutrition:

“Daily intake of yacon syrup produced a significant decrease in body weight, waist circumference and body mass index. Additionally, decrease in fasting serum insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessment index was observed. The consumption of yacon syrup increased defecation frequency and satiety sensation. Fasting glucose and serum lipids were not affected by syrup treatment and the only positive effect was found in serum LDL-cholesterol levels.”

Not only did daily consumption of yacon syrup help decrease body weight, but it had a beneficial effect on LDL-cholesterol levels and those who consumed it felt satisfied after eating it. Yacon syrup is a sweetener that is actually good for you!

Yacon Syrup is normally used as an ingredient in the following Healthelicious products:

Yacón Syrup

Yacon Syrup is normally used as an ingredient in the following Healthelicious products:

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