Yacon Syrup – A Healthy Sugar Alternative

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Yacon syrup is derived from the root of the yacon plant. This member of the sunflower family is found in South America, and Peruvian people use the root chopped in sweet dishes. The syrup has a distinctive flavor, not unlike molasses or caramel.
What makes yacon a healthier alternative to sugar is its low glycemic nature and the fact that it is a whole food, easily accommodated by individuals wishing to eat a more natural diet. It is free of glucose, and 30% of its sugars are fructooligosaccharides, or FOS. FOS are not absorbed by the body, so they pass through the digestive system without getting metabolized. Because of this, yacon syrup has half the calories of another common liquid sweetener, honey, and can be used by diabetics.
* Potential health benefits
Colon health
FOS are prebiotics – that is, they set the stage for healthy intestinal flora to flourish. Thus, yacon’s cleansing effect on the colon will not create an imbalance of “good” bacteria.