Benefits of yacon contraindications We have received questions related to yacon, its benefits, especially for diabetics, and its contraindications. We will explain these below:
Yacon, or Smallanthus sonchifolius, belongs to the Asteraceae family, which contains more than 23,000 species spread over more than 1,620 genera.
The family can be found worldwide and contains numerous herbs of economic importance, such as artichoke (Cynara scolymus), chicory (Cichorium intybus), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Many of its species are popular in the herbal tea world.
The yacon is a flowering plant with star-shaped flowers, counting the sunflower among its closest relatives. It grows just over three feet (1 m) tall and produces large, broad leaves and small yellow petals, both of which only appear briefly late in the growing season.
The long tuberous roots are where the highest concentration of nutrients is found, and can reach up to 10 inches (25 cm) long by four inches (10 cm) in diameter with ridged colors.
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Historical information and economic data
As early as 1000 CE, the yacon plant was used as a source of food and herbal medicine, as well as a symbolic offering during religious ceremonies by the indigenous peoples of the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes. The Inca and pre-Inca people cultivated the yacon and he assigned spiritual significance to the crop, which appears as a motif on pottery and textiles.
However, the plant did not reach Europe until the 20th century, enjoying a brief interest in Italy that soon disappeared with World War II. In the 1980s, New Zealand and Japan raved about its nutritional value, where it remains popular to this day.
The Andean crop has also been successfully grown in Germany, France, and the United States, although yacon roots are not yet very popular in these countries. In 1993, the yacon plant was introduced to the Czech Republic from New Zealand, and more recently it has also been introduced to Russia.
Although yacon is not as well known as other tubers, it is still in demand around the world. Japan is the main consumer of the plant, closely followed by Brazil. Commercial cultivation is alive and well in those countries.
Peru is the world’s leading producer, where 18 of the country’s 20 regions grow the yacon plant on a large scale and export to places like the US, New Zealand and Korea with a free shipping value of $633,000 in 2010 alone. Let’s see, next, yacon benefits and contraindications.
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Yacon health benefits
In its native lands, yacon root is traditionally used as a food product. Therefore, research on its medicinal uses is just beginning. Being one of the best sources of low calories and natural sugars, the hypoglycemic properties of yacon point to the following medicinal uses:
handles the diabetes. Yacon root helps control diabetes by lowering glucose levels, and is often used as an alternative to cane sugar and processed sugar.
Improves colon health and digestion. The compounds in this sweet root also have a prebiotic effect, which helps with digestion and improves the health of colon.
Additionally, the use of yacon for weight loss diets is becoming increasingly popular due to its natural sugar replacement, and is believed to help reduce inflammation. Although more studies are needed, yacon root has also shown potential for treating kidney problems and rejuvenate skin.
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Properties and how it works
Yacon is rich in inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), both of which have been recognized for promoting the growth of good bacteria in the intestine. This is why yacon tuber is considered a prebiotic sugar replacement.
The inulin it contains tastes sweet, but the body cannot digest it. Therefore, it passes through the digestive system, providing a feeling of fullness without adding calories or turning into glucose, making it ideal for weight management and diabetes.
The herbs that are consumed as sweeteners alternatives are the stevia and the lucuma, while cinnamon and mulberry also contribute to lowering blood sugar levels, helping to control hyperglycemia and diabetes. Herbs that support colon health are psyllium and flax. Next, let’s see what is related to the contraindications of yacon, syrup and capsule
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Contraindications and side effects
Yacon contraindications #1 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) should know that consuming yacon, as well as any other source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Yacon contraindications #2 People who are allergic to sunflower seeds should also especially avoid yacon syrup. For that reason, they should not
Yacon contraindications #3 The leaves of the plant can be potentially toxic and therefore should not be eaten.
Yacon contraindications #4 Potential kidney damage if used long-term especially the syrup, according to the Journal of ethnopharmacology.
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