Yacon

  Apple of the earth

Yacon, a distant relative of the sunflower, grows in warm, temperate Andean valleys at elevations below 3,500 m. Its delicious edible tubers, which are sweet and low in calories, hold a variety of health benefits. It has a mild sweet flavour and an unusual moist, crunchy texture slightly reminiscent of fresh-picked apple and watermelon.

Yacon tuber provides an excellent balance of 20 essential amino acids. It has one of the highest levels of potassium found in any plant, and high levels of calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus.

Yacon is a useful sweet food for diabetics. Its carbohydrates are stored as a sugar called ‘Inulin’. This slow releasing sugar can be supplied to the body even when the concentrations of blood sugar levels are low. This helps to prevent both hypoglycaemia (tiredness, sudden drop of activity) and hyperglycaemia (over-activity).

Yacon is a useful food for managing weight control and obesity. It provides few calories 15-20Kcal/100g, whereas bread typically contains around 50Kcal/100g and Chocolate 500Kcal/100g.

Yacon helps the intestines to function efficiently and eliminate toxins and waste products from the body. It strengthens and activates the good bacilli like L. acidophilus and B.bifidum which in turn enhances our immune system and suppresses putrefactive pathogens such as Candida albicans.

It also increases the frequency of defecation and helps those that suffer with constipation due to its high water and fibre content.

Daily portion: Approximately 10g, chew properly