What is yacon root extract good for?
Yacon has been used for nutrition as well as folk medicine for diabetes, weight control, and inflammation. Although research is limited, there is some agreement on the potential health benefits of consuming yacon root.
Is yacon the same as jicama?
Yacon is much easier to find now. Its crisp, juicy roots are like jicama but more tender, sort of like watermelon but a bit firmer. And its sweetness is from a sugar we don’t digest, so the roots are low in calories.
Can you buy yacon in Australia?
An easy to grow vegetable that is suitable for most areas in Australia. Yacon plant produces large sweet tasting tubers that can be eaten raw or cooked. Aerial parts grow to 2m.
Is yacon syrup safe for diabetics?
Over the past few decades, yacon tubers and yacon products such as yacon syrup and tea have been recommended to dieters and people suffering from diabetes and various digestive diseases for their low-calorie, nutritional and prebiotic value.
Does yacon cause flatulence?
Yacon syrup can have some side effects if you eat too much at a time. It’s very similar to the side effects you get by eating more soluble fiber than you’re used to. When a lot of it reaches the intestine, it can cause excess gas production. This can lead to flatulence, diarrhea, nausea and digestive discomfort.
Is yacon a Superfood?
Yacon is a superfood well known for being a natural prebiotic (stimulating good bacteria in the digestive system and boosting the body’s immune system) and is a natural low-calorie sweetener for diabetics and weight-watchers.
How does yacon grow in Australia?
For cold areas of Australia the rhizomes can be started in styrofoam boxes in a greenhouse or on a warm verandah and planted out when frost is past. The plant takes 6 – 7 months to reach maturity. After flowering top growth withers and dies back and the tubers are harvested.
Can you grow yacon in Melbourne?
Yacon is pleasingly easy to grow in most soils where there is reasonable rainfall and moderate heat. The plants do require a long season to grow – forming their tubers in autumn – but anywhere that parsnips and Jerusalem artichokes thrive will suit yacon perfectly well.
Is yacon syrup bad for your liver?
PROMOTES LIVER HEALTH Yacon syrup promotes healthy blood sugar, so the liver doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain healthy glucose levels. Eating yacon syrup in place of other sweeteners can prevent fatty liver and help your liver run efficiently.
What are the side effects of yacon syrup?
Where does the Yacon plant grow in the world?
Yacon is native to Colombia and Ecuador and is a hardy, attractive herbaceous perennial that yields a large harvest of tubers. The tubers have an appealing crunchy crispness that is a cross between apple and watermelon, with overtones of sugarcane.
When do yacon plants need to be staked?
Yacon plant care is easy, though the plants get very tall and may need to be staked. After six to seven months, the plants will naturally start to brown and die. This is the time to harvest. Dig around carefully with your hands so as not to damage the roots.
What kind of tubers do you use for yacon?
Store yacon tubers the same way you’d store potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place. Yacon produces two distinctly different types of tubers. One that’s reddish brown and another that’s a lighter brown color. At harvest time, separate the two types of tubers and brush off the soil, making sure to be careful not to break the skin of the tubers.
What kind of soil do you need to plant yacon?
When planting yacon, choose any sunny spot with nutrient-rich soil that is well drained. As a general rule, if the location is good for tomatoes, it’s good for yacon. Plant the tubers in a hole about 2 to 3 inches deep with the sprouts pointing upward. Because yacon is fast-growing, it requires plenty of nutrients.