Yacon health benefits, nutrition facts, and what does it taste like.
Yacon (Ground Apple) is a scientific name for Smallanthus sonchifolius.In Australia and New Zealand it is well cultivated.It has been introduced to Malaysia, Philippines, Czech Republic, Southern USA, Russia, Korea, Taiwan and Japan.Yacon is also known as Strawberry jicama, Sweet root, Yacn and Peruvian ground apple.
Jerusalem artichoke is a close relative of Yacon.Perennial rhizome are attached to storage roots.The aerial shoots form under the surface of the soil.A storage tuber can weigh as much as a kilogram.At the end of the growing season, the plants produce small flowers in yellow.
Tubers have fructooligosaccharide which is an indigestible polysaccharide.Fructooligosaccharides are low in calories and have a sweet taste.It is used by beneficialbacteria that promote colon health and support digestion.
The Yacn plants can grow to around 2 m in height and provide small yellow flowers at the end of the growing season.Yacn is not photoperiod sensitive and may create an industrial yield within the subtropics.
Farmers on the eastern slopes of the Andes descend toward the Amazon to cultivate yacn roots.Sometimes it is developed along field borders where the juicy tubers provide a welcome source of refreshment.As recently as the early 2000s, yacn was unavailable from urban markets, but press reports of its use in Japan due to its antihyperglycemic qualities made the crop widely known.Novel products like yacn syrup have been developed.Both products are well-liked by people with diabetes.
Yacon grows from 1.5 to 2.5 meters high.The roots are 25 cm long and 10 cm in diameter.An aerial stems are cylindrical and densely pubescent.The hastate, deltoid, densely pubescent leaves are 22 cm wide and 33 cm long.Lower leaves are broadly ovate, connate and auriculate.The upper and lower epidermises have small and long trichomes.The flowers are composed of 1 to 5 axes.The flowers are either orange or yellow.There are 13 to 15 ray flowers with 2 or 3 toothed ligule.When immature, purple cypselas turn black or dark brown.
Tubers of yacon are made of water and fructooligosaccharides.It means that the majority of sugars can't be eaten by the body which results in low calories and prevents excess sugar from entering the bloodstream.It increases the body's absorption of minerals and vitamins.Yacon has a lot of minerals.
Yacon has anti-hyperglycemic effects.The body won't absorb simple sugars because it has fructooligosaccharides.It reduces the production of blood sugar in the body.It's important for people with diabetes.There is research on the yacon's ability to increase sensitivity in the body.It is beneficial for people who are at high risk of developing the disease.
Yacon has a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels and lowers strain on the cardiovascular system.It increases the flow of blood as well as oxygenation to parts of the body which need it the most.The body has a balance of fluid in it's tissues and cells.
People who need to control cholesterol can use Yacon.Low density lipoprotein levels are lowered by an intake of yacon.Fructooligosaccharides found in Yacon help to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent a build up of bad cholesterol which can lead to heart problems.
The researcher said that yacon helps to promote weight loss.It fill the body with low amount of calories.This is possible because of the effect of yacon.
Prebiotic materials in Yacon stimulates growth and the health of microflora in the body.The body would be able to maximize its intake of vitamins and minerals when it is taken care of.Yacon have a slight laxative effect that lowers the symptoms of colon cancer and other gastrointestinal conditions.
The consumption of Yacon can affect the function of the liver.Studies show that an adequate amount of Yacon and Milk thistle can help prevent the build up of fat in the body.The combination of silymarin and yacon has been shown to improve the level of cholesterol and prevent the build up of fat in the body.The researchers concluded that silymarin and yacon promoted healthy functions.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death.The main reserve is fructooligosaccharides.It has a lot of polyphenols in its leaves and roots.The extract of Yacon has hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic and anti-oxidant activities due to the presence of phenolic compunds.The first thing that comes to mind is (1)
Yacon have fructooligosaccharides that increase absorption of calcium.It's important for post and pre-menopausal women with high chances of losing critical bones mass to get it.Research shows that Yacon increases the concentration of minerals such as magnesium and calcium in bones which is the main cause of osteoporosis.Adding syrup of Yacon to the osteoporosis diet is a natural treatment.Fructooligosaccharides help to promote mineral absorption from the colon and helps to preserve bone mass by providing more exposure to minerals such as magnesium and calcium.
There is cancer fighting food in Yacon syrup.The study was done to show the effect of the drug on cancer cells.The study shows that compounds in Yacon block the growth of cancer cells.A study shows that Yaco grows on leaves and roots that have anti-cancer effects.Yaco syrup has been shown to be a natural cure for cancer.
The chances of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are lowered by the low level of testosterone.Yacon syrup is a natural booster for testosterone.A study shows that extracts of Yacon increase testosterone and sperm number.The study shows that herbal supplement can be used to treat male infertility and alleviate low levels of testosterone.