Yacon, Smallanthus sonchifolia.
Research has proven that is beneficial for those with hypertension. By thinning the blood Yacon can lower blood pressure by 5 to 10 percent. It can also lower cholesterol and discourage clot formation. Unfortunately, Yacon has a reputation for being a Diabetes but it is also excellent to reduce the hypertension problems..
Dr. H Brams said yacon roots themselves had not been proven to have the same palliative effect as the Yacon leaves. Even so, yacon is now popularly associated in Peru with diabetes, though other benefits such as its laxative quality and ability to help prevent colon cancer and osteoporosis are less well known.
In a laboratory study using rats, it was found that the administration of a decoction of ten-percent yacon produced a significant decrease in plasma glucose levels. Also the administration of yacon tea ad libitum for 30 days produced a significant improvement in plasma glucose, plasma insulin levels, body weight, creatinine clearance, urinary albumin excretion on diabetic-prone rats as compared to the diabetic controls. A Japanese patent suggests the use of a blend of yacon leaves and leaves of oolong tea to control blood sugar level, high cholesterol level and body weight gain. A Japanese company released a product containing an extract of red rice and yacon for the control of hyperglycemia and lowering cholesterol and triglycerides (Monocolin, Maruzen Pharmaceuticals).
Yacon has high concentration of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) which beneficial bacteria (probiotics) like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium bifidum are able to utilized.
Yacon has a high concentration of fructooligosaccharides which has several health properties:
- Low sugar level
- Low caloric level
- Do not induce the development of cavities
- Favor the growth of beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacterium sp.) in the lower intestinal tract.
- Decrease cholesterol and triglycerides levels
Yacon is also considered as a source of dietary fiber which the following physiological effects:
- Satiety effect
- Decrease intestinal transit time.
- Decrease in constipation
- Decrease post-pandrial glucose level
- Maintenance of beneficial bacteria in the intestine
- Increase excretion of fat and protein
- May prevent colon cancer.
Indirectly by the consumption of yacon we may benefit from the following:
- Prevention of cardiovascular diseases due to decreased cholesterol absorption.
- Diabetes prevention due to decreased post-pandrial glucose level.
- Obesity prevention due low calories.
- Colon cancer prevention due to fructooligosaccharides and fiber.
Plastic bag with 100 grams
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