Herbaceous plant yacon – is a traditional food of the peoples of the Peruvian Andes. It is botanically considered a close relative of delicious and healthy sunflower, artichoke, stevia, as well as malefic ragweed, which poisons residents of the southern regions of Russia by its allergenic pollen every summer.
However, yacon for weight loss is appreciated by its roots.
Their crisp flesh of white or yellow color has a low caloric value, 100 grams contains just 60 kcal (the average weight of yacon tuber is 60-70 grams).
It contains 2 to 7% protein, represented by upscale amino acids, only 0.14% fats, vitamin C, potassium, phenolic antioxidants, riboflavin, selenium, and even a little of chlorogenic acid – a legendary active ingredient of green coffee.
Chemists refer inulin to the number of “spare carbohydrates “, which require a relatively long transformation in order to turn into energy.
The “rest” inulin takes the form of dietary fibers that fill the digestive tract providing a long-lasting feeling of satiety and becoming a breeding ground for beneficial microflora.
Natural inulin is contained not only in yacon, but namely this root is the most rich in its source in the gastronomic respect; few people can consume a significant amount of dandelion roots or oats.
Inulin in the form of crystalline dietary supplement is also available for sale, but indications for its use are limited, it is used as an additional medication for weight loss or sweetener.
In terms of ways of cooking, natural yacon is absolutely universal: it is eaten raw, scrubbed, boiled, baked, dried.
Incidentally, yacon for weight loss diet refers to a number of rare vegetables: having laid for three months, it becomes even sweeter, since the percentage of inulin increases in this product.
This process can be speeded up by drying the rhizomes or putting them in the sun for a few days.
What does yacon ready to do for weight loss?
Yacon reduces insulin resistance
This not only protects against bouts of hunger, but also acts as a prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Like all “long” carbohydrates representing dietary fibers, yacon lowers cholesterol and triglyceride level in the blood, which speeds up fat burning process used with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
Yacon for weight loss helps the intestine to function
Dietary fibers provide a favorable environment for vital activity of the necessary bacteria simultaneously inhibiting the growth of pathogenic flora in the GIT, as well as a kind of natural sorbent that helps to take some of the load from other cleaning and excretory systems.
It is also important an ability of yacon to strengthen peristalsis of an intestine.
The texture and flavor of yacon root is described as something between fresh apple and watermelon, probably for this reason, yacon is called “earthy apple”.
In addition, it is also called “dietary potato” for its external similarity; freshly dug yacon can be easily confused with oblong potatoes of salad varieties.
However, experienced agronomists cannot be fooled by such similarity: they know that yacon cannot be multiplied by simply dividing of the tubers like usual potatoes. The bush can be obtained only from seedling of tuberous kidney.
Certainly, interesting taste of yacon and its natural origin remain an argument for introducing it into any menu, regardless of where the root vegetable was grown.
However, if necessary to test benefit of yacon for weight loss, choose export root crop or pay your attention to such new trend, as yacon syrup.
In general terms, it is similar to crystalline inulin by its action, as well as a huge benefit of freshly squeezed Andean root and ease of use in the kitchen.
Safe for the figure beverages, sauces, marinades, and salad dressings are made of yacon syrup and those, who suffer from craving for sweet, successfully use a pleasant juice concentrate of yacon rhizomes as an alternative to artificial sweeteners.
Yacon syrup was opened by an irrepressible American TV doctor Mehmet Oz; he proclaimed yacon a “new great thing for weight loss” in one of his shows. 40 women were involved in the “Project Yacon “under the leadership of Oz; they were prescribed to swallow a spoonful of yacon syrup before each meal or during it, without making changes in their eating habits, for a month.
The result was inspiring, 73% of the women have become thinner losing from 1.5 to 3 kg of weight and up to 3 cm in volumes.
Price of a jar that holds about a glass of yacon syrup makes about $20. You can buy it online or in health food departments.
Yacon syrup (the same as the root itself) is permitted for use in diabetes – in the absence of any additives therein and, of course, after consultation with the physician.
Even the most natural means that devoid of potentially harmful substances helping to improve your health and lose weight, can lead to undesirable effects.
“Overdose” of yacon can manifest by the following signs:
Change in bowel habits
Bloating
Runny nose
Long-term loss of appetite
If enjoying a pleasant taste of yacon, you experience any of these symptoms mentioned above, refuse from the product and consult your doctor to avoid even more unpleasant consequences for health.