Since Dr. Oz did his Yacon Syrup Project, everyone’s been buzzing about this sweet sugar substitute with the potential to aid in weight loss! This is great news for those struggling to regulate blood sugar. That's right, diabetics can enjoy yacon syrup! It's low on the glycemic index and therefore does not increase blood sugar levels. It is also low-calorie and all-natural, so the nasty side effects associated with many artificial sweeteners are not an issue here.
Although this is not a new product (Yacon has been used in Peruvian communities for thousands of years), we are learning more and more about its many health benefits, and it's quickly become a hot item and is flying off the shelves at National Nutrition!
What is Yacon?
The Yacon is a member of the Asteraceae family, close to the sunflower, and native to the Andean region of South America. The yacon itself looks very similar to a potato, but tastes more like an apple! The tuberous root is boiled down to produce a syrup that is often compared to molasses.
Advantages of Yacon Syrup
The Yacon is high in insulin, a complex sugar that breaks down slowly into /articles/supplements/fos-prebiotic/. In fact, the Yacon has one of the highest concentrations of FOS in any plant. For those not familiar with FOS, it is a term that has become synonymous with prebiotic, meaning it helps to stimulate our own production of probiotic bacteria in the gut. FOS is non-digestible and resistant to gastric acidity and enzymatic processes that break down what we consume. This means it travels untouched to the large intestine, where it selectively stimulates the growth of intestinal bacteria (selective b/c it increases the bacteria we need, in the amounts we need it!). A balanced gut flora promotes a healthy immune system and regulates digestion.
Inulin is also considered a soluble fibre, known for its ability to help balance blood sugar levels, as well as lower cholesterol. Yacon is also an excellent source of minerals, including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and iron, as well as 20 amino acids. Again, of great benefit to diabetics in particular, yacon syrup is naturally sweet, with an extremely low glycemic index (almost 0), meaning there's no spike in blood sugar levels after consumption.
Using Yacon Syrup
If you are trying to cut down on more refined or artificial sugars, yacon syrup is a natural and healthy alternative. It can be used in coffee/ tea, mixed in your morning oatmeal or granola , or used in baking as you would sugar, honey, molasses, or maple syrup. Like anything, make sure you test out how sweet yacon syrup is on its own before baking with it. It is considered sweeter than sugar, so you may not want to substitute it one for one. Given the numerous health benefits, it's worth trying! - You wouldn't want to miss out on the new WONDER FOOD, would you?!
Shopping For Alternative Sweeteners
Health food stores, including National Nutrition. It typically comes in glass jars or bottles, similar to honey. Check out our selection of Yacon Syrup alternative sweeteners.
