Yakon

Yacon is a large perennial plant from South America that is grown mainly for the beneficial properties of its roots. The tubers are shaped like potatoes, and taste somewhat sweet with a subtle pear flavor. This vegetable has a wide range of uses. Yacon syrup and powder are commonly used as a natural and healthy sugar substitute. The root is very useful to eat raw, adding to salads.

This vegetable was not widely known outside of its native habitat until recent decades. It began to grow in Australia and New Zealand, later its popularity spread to Japan, China, South Korea and even the product appeared in the food markets of the United States. Today, healthy tubers can be bought anywhere in the world.

Yacon roots are ready to eat when the top of the plant is completely dry. The plant is picky to grow, can be grown both in the garden and as a houseplant on the balcony.

The leaves of the plant also contain many beneficial organic compounds, making yacon tea and syrup a very beneficial and nutritious addition to people’s diets. In fact, yacon syrup has become popular relatively recently, as it has become an indispensable product for diabetics, and for people trying to lose weight. However, the question remains: why is yacon considered so important to our health?

Nutritional value of yacon

Yacon tubers are composed primarily of fructooligosaccharides and water. This means that most carbohydrate sugars are not digested by the body, resulting in very low levels of calories absorbed and blood sugars. Yacon also helps the body increase the absorption of vitamins and minerals from all other foods. There are not many vitamins and minerals in the yacon itself, it is very important for the consumption of other essential components of human health. However, yacon is rich in potassium, calcium and phosphorus.

Benefit for health

The health benefits include its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, control cholesterol and aid in weight loss, etc.

Prevents diabetes

The reason why so many people around the world have started using yacon so often is because of its anti hyperglycemic effect. The presence of fructooligosaccharides in yacon allows the body to obtain a limited amount of plant-derived sugar. This beneficial substance also helps to reduce the amount of glucose production in the liver. This is very important for people with diabetes.

Regulates blood pressure

The presence of a large amount of potassium in the chemical composition of yacon has a positive effect on the state of the cardiovascular system, and potassium is a vasodilator, it relaxes blood vessels and reduces the load on the cardiovascular system. As a result, increased blood flow and oxygenation to the parts of the body that need blood the most and reduced chances of developing conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, or stroke. Potassium also helps regulate the fluid balance in our body’s cells and tissues when combined with sodium.

Controls cholesterol levels

In addition to the fact that yacon is very useful for diabetics, it is also simply indispensable for people with high blood cholesterol levels.

Weight loss

The product is low-calorie, has a laxative and mild diuretic effect, actively cleanses the body of toxins and toxins, accelerates blood flow and metabolic processes, and has a positive effect on the state of the hormonal system.

The chemical composition of yacon

The composition of the plant includes the following vitamins, minerals and nutrients as:

• amino acids;
• protein;
• vitamin C;
• thiamine;
• niacin;
• riboflavin;
• selenium;
• caffeic acid;
• chlorogenic acid.

Yacon in cooking

Usually they try to use the vegetable raw in cooking. It perfectly complements vegetable salads, fruit salads, snacks, cereals (grated), etc. Yacon is very tasty stewed and baked (stews, casseroles, etc.). for the preparation of healthy desserts – this is just an incredible component. Jam, syrups, candied fruits are prepared from it, added to fillings for pies, cakes, yoghurts, cheese masses.

How to take yacon syrup

Yacon syrup, although useful, still needs to be able to use it correctly so that it does not harm the body. The daily dose of this product should be no more than twenty-five grams. It should be consumed in doses, one teaspoonful one hour before each meal (the dosage cannot be increased). If you use the product along with the main food, it will not affect your appetite, and it will no longer work as a means of losing weight, but it will perform its healing functions. This product is not intended for heat treatment, as all fructooligosaccharides are broken down during the heating process. Therefore, yacon syrup should be taken, not eaten, on the principle of taking conventional dietary supplements.

Side effects

Since this vegetable has become popular recently, it has not yet been fully explored, but today minor side effects are known, such as: flatulence, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea. In order to avoid the manifestation of side effects, it is not recommended to abuse this product.

Противопоказания

Yacon in any form is prohibited for people prone to weak stools, pregnant women and women during lactation, children under fourteen years of age, people in the postoperative period (due to possible flatulence), after severe forms of viral diseases, people with kidney and liver failure .

Before introducing yacon into your diet, be sure to consult a doctor, especially if this product is introduced into the diet for medicinal or dietary purposes.