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Posted on Dec 07, 2003, 9 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Most people haven't heard of yacon, a root from Peru, yet many scientists believe that it is good for digestion, aids the absorption of vitamins and calcium, may protect against cancer, and can aid diabetics by lessening blood glucose spikes after eating sweet foods. While it sounds like a superfood, yacon isn't much to write home about visually - it has dark brown skin and looks like an elongated potato, however it is renown for being sweet and tasty.
Most people haven't heard of yacon, a root from Peru, yet many scientists believe that it is good for digestion, aids the absorption of vitamins and calcium, may protect against cancer, and can aid diabetics by lessening blood glucose spikes after eating sweet foods. While it sounds like a superfood, yacon isn't much to write home about visually - it has dark brown skin and looks like an elongated potato, however it is renown for being sweet and tasty. Yacon is actually very sweet - it is packed full of sugar - but it is still good for dieters as the majority of the sugar it contains is oligofructose, which cannot be absorbed by the body. Thus, yacon is perfect for both dieters and diabetics as it is low in calories and does not raise blood glucose levels. Oligofructose promotes the growth of so-called friendly bacteria in the colon meaning that it is good for the digestive system, and to top it all off, the root contains high levels of health-boosting antioxidants. Peruvian businessmen believe that the humble root could bring much needed cash to Peru. Once such businessman is Giancarlo Zamudio, his company, Naturandina, expects to be exporting four $57,000 exports of yacon a month to Japan by the end of 2003.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 25th November 2003.
