Lose Weight While Controlling Your Blood Sugar (The Yacon Syrup’s Promising Health Benefits)

There is another promising way to lose weight without even changing your diet and doing exercise. How convenient is that? 

Several advertisements commercialize miracle pills and magic drinks that dramatically transform your body in an instant. Although, there is no such thing as a cure-all product including in the lose-weight department, there are still some promising products that offers results. Today, people are talking about this brand new product that could change the face of this seemingly endless challenge of losing that extra pound; it’s called the Yacon Syrup.

The Yacon Plant

Unlike any other weight losing supplement, the Yacon Syrup comes from a root crop (Yacon plant) which is native in the Andean region. This scientifically neglected and underutilized novel product represents a traditional medicinal plant used by native people in Peru since pre-Inca times. It is closely related to the sunflower, with large tuberous roots similar to sweet potatoes but much sweeter (70% sweeter than table sugar) and crunchier.

The Sweet & Healthy Benefits

Several studies show promising health benefits of this natural low calorie sweetener.

The Yacon Syrup

1.     Since it contains up to 50% fructooligosaccharides (FOS) from the concentrated juice on its tuberous roots, it can be used as a sugar substitute. FOS is a type of fructan (sugar) with lower caloric value (approximately 25-35%) compared to other types of sugar and does not increase the amount of glucose in the blood. Ideal sweetener and source of dietary fiber for people with diabetes and weight conscious individuals.

2.    Other studies show that it also has benefit on the digestive system through enhancing the growth of probiotics (good intestinal bacteria) which is essential for food digestion and absorption. Subsequently, a promising effect against colon cancer.

3.     Another medicinal benefit includes its anti-diabetic properties associate with its leaves. An experiment conducted in 2001 by Aybar et al. on the hypoglycemic effect of the water extract of yacon leaves in normal and diabetic rats showed a significant decrease of blood sugar levels of the specimens due to the increase production of plasma insulin concentration by the yacon leaves.

4.    This root crop has noted to have potential kidney benefits as well and skin-rejuvenating properties but further research are still needed.

Taste It in All Forms

The Yacon Forms

Multiple preparations can be done with this important Andean species. One of which is its famous honey-like syrup consistency available in the market. Japanese and Brazilian farmers air-dry the yacon roots while others would use the plant’s juice (extract) without added preservatives. In its dehydrated form, these tuberous roots can be processed into chips ideal for a raw ingredient for sweet pastries. Because it retains its crunchy consistency during cooking, it is sometimes used in Asian stir-fried dishes.

To obtain its weight losing benefits without having its undesirable gastrointestinal effects (diarrhea) experts recommend taking only 0.14 g FOS/kg syrup or no more than 2 tablespoons a day. There are some precautions that need to be considered before taking this product like any other health supplements like individuals with digestive disorders (loose bowel movement), hypersensitivity reaction (allergies) especially to sunflower seeds, pregnant and breastfeeding women. Proper medical consultation is still advised.

Everyone dreams to have those perfect curves or buffs or just simply want to have a healthier body. But there is no such thing as magic antidote to lose those unwanted excess fat or pounds. Remember, proper diet, regular exercise and healthy lifestyle are the major pillars for you to achieve that perfect body that you have always hoped for.

This is a promising discovery and I would like to hear your opinion about this. Feel free to share your thoughts about it.