Why YACON ROOT is the latest trend in health foods

Reading Time: 3.5 min

Yacon is a South American root vegetable known for its naturally sweet flavour. Also known as the ‘Apple of the earth’, this ingredient has been used in Peru for hundreds of years for its delicious taste and now, the known health benefits are boosting its popularity around the globe.

Yacon looks like a sweet potato but it is a ground apple superfood from South America with many health benefits and an ample source of natural prebiotics promoting good gut health. Yacon syrup is extracted from the storage roots months after planting and is a low-glycemic, low-calorie alternative to refined sugars, artificial sweeteners and other common natural sweeteners, but the best part is that it’s actually good for you!

How does Yacon Root work in Your Body? 

The yacon root naturally contains Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), a carbohydrate with a sweet flavour characteristic that’s a form of prebiotic fibre. The combination of natural sugar with high prebiotic fibre content mitigates the glycemic spike associated with common sweeteners making it a great choice for the health-conscious and a great fit for diabetics. 

How can Yacon Root be Enjoyed?

Yacon can be eaten in many ways. It can be grated into salads, tossed into stir-fries, roasted with other root vegetables, or steamed. It is often eaten raw or blended in fruit juices. Eating yacon is delicious and healthy. A high quality, organic and non-gmo yacon root syrup is used as a healthy, high-fibre alternative to refined sugars or synthetic sweeteners in beverages like Crazy D’s Sparkling Prebiotic Sodas.

LET’S TALK ABOUT BENEFITS OF YACON ROOT:

IMMUNE BOOSTER: Prebiotics for gut health, immunity & overall wellness

Yacon root is rich in prebiotic fibres called Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) which boost mineral absorption and help with an overall improvement of the immune system. Prebiotics are fibres that feed your gut’s good, probiotic bacteria, giving them the energy they need to fight bad bacteria, aid in digestion and keep a healthy, balanced microbiome.

Yacon root is also an abundant source of polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants. In this role, they prevent or reverse damage in cells caused by aging, the environment, and lifestyle. Over time, this damage is linked to an increased risk of many chronic diseases. Because of the anti-inflammatory effect associated with antioxidant activity, polyphenols have been proposed as useful for the development of future antioxidant therapeutics and anti-inflammatory drugs. How cool is that?!

SWEET WITHOUT THE GUILT: Reduced risk of diabetes

While refined sugars can increase inflammation, lead to or aggravate diabetes and even contribute to higher blood pressure, yacon syrup is a natural, minimally processed sweetener with great health benefits.  It is a low-glycemic, alternative to refined sugars that slows the absorption of sugars, preventing blood sugar spikes, crashes and unhealthy blood sugar levels.

Using an organic, non-gmo, high-fibre (FOS%) yacon root syrup as a sweetener alternative is a great way to enjoy delicious treats and beverages like Crazy D’s Prebiotic Sodas in a way that’s safe for everyone (including children, diabetics and pregnant women).

HIGH FIBRE, LOW CALORIES: Yacon syrup for weight loss

The prebiotic fibres in yacon root can repopulate the good bacteria in your gut and keep you satiated without extra calories. Drinking beverages that tote high fibre content from quality sources like Crazy D’s Sparkling Prebiotic Sodas (link here) are a quick and easy way to increase fibre intake and can help with healthy weight management through satiation and digestive support. Yacon promotes digestive regularity, prevents constipation and combats belly bloat. Finally, yacon syrup simply tastes great. Talk about bonus perks! 

CRUSH HIGH CHOLESTEROL

The Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) found in yacon are beneficial in lowering lipid levels and are great for those working to control their cholesterol because they are a soluble, prebiotic fiber. They help prevent the buildup of ‘bad’ ldl cholesterol and maintain healthy cholesterol in the body which in turn also reduces inflammation. These benefits can help prevent heart attack, stroke and heart disease.  A win-win-win scenario!

*Hot tip*
Double-check that your yacon root syrup has a good FOS percentage to ensure you are getting an adequate amount of prebiotics and a lower sugar/fructose count. We suggest a percentage of approximately 35-40% FOS. Be careful, as many on the market contain less than 15%!

THE VERDICT ON YACON ROOT:

This trending superfood has real health benefits and tastes delicious. Get on board and try it today our Crazy D’s Sparkling Prebiotic beverages!