Health Benefits of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

What is Yacon (雪莲果, Smallanthus sonchifolius)

Yacon, which may more commonly be known as the Peruvian ground apple, is a plant native to South America and grown for its crunchy tuberous roots. This perennial plant can easily be identified by its small, yellow, daisy-like flowers surrounded by dark green leaves. It may grow to over 2 meters in height and happens to belong to the same family as sunflowers. It also happens to be pest-free and drought resistant, and so can be easily grown almost anywhere all year round as long as there is no frost. Yacon roots are sweet-tasting and crisp; they are described as a sort of winter delicacy in spite of being a vegetable.

What are the health benefits of Yacon?

Some of the most popular yacon health benefits include the control of blood sugar levels, control of cholesterol level, boosting immune system and helping in weight loss. The yacon root is full of health benefits some might be undiscovered but let’s take a look at a few ones.

• Potential Weight Loss Aid: Yacon is a potential weight loss agent therefore known as “Diet potato”. It is a low calorie root and it is made up of fructooligosacharide which helps one to feel full longer.
• Control Of Type II Diabetes: Yacon contain inulin, which is a type of fructose found in the yacon tuber. Some researchers have claimed that it’s useful in insulin independent diabetes, such as type II diabetes for regulating blood sugar levels. Research is still being continued and researchers are striving to document any importance of this plant in diabetes, which could be revolutionizing in the field of medicine as a therapeutic agent.
• Used As Natural Sweetener: They can be used in the preparation of sugar free sweeteners for diabetic patients and those who are motivated to lose weight. You can also add yacon sweetener in coffee and tea.
• Cancer Prevention: It is a potent anticancer agent for it inhibits the proliferation of mutant cells by initiating apoptosis (programmed cell death). It is found effective against skin, colon and blood cancer.
• Prevention Of Fatty Liver: Yacon is an important regulator of body fat and prevent excessive cholesterol accumulation, thus protecting liver function by assisting it in cholesterol metabolism. It helps in metabolic processes of body.
• Reduced Triglycerides: Yacon contain fructooligosaccharide that lowers bad cholesterol (triglycerides and low density lipoprotein). Low level of triglyceride is associated with reduce risk of heart attacks and stroke.
• Prebiotic Effects: It is associated with correction of digestion by increasing intestinal flora and preventing colitis.
• Cure For Constipation: It is a used to increase intestinal motility thus reducing constipation.
• Antioxidant Activity: Chemical analysis of yacon has shown antioxidant activity which prevents the body from inflammatory and chronic diseases. This is one of the chief yacon root benefits. These antioxidants were extracted by methanol from the yacon plant. Caffeic acid, Ferulic acid and Chlorogenic are the anti oxidants found in the leaves of yacon.
• Anti Fungal: Yacon leaves have reported important anti fungal effects. The yacon leaf may be used in the treatment of fungal diseases like athlete’s foot.
• Tribal And Herbal Medicine: In South America, yacon plants are used as tribal medicines for kidney and bladder problems and also for cystitis, nephritis and externally for myalgia................CLICK HERE for more details.

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) - MEDICATION ALERT - PLEASE READ THIS

Message from FSNA member: 

Hi, Everyone, I am passing this email forwarded to me this morning. It's about a medication that is familiar to many of us.

Note also the FDA 's comments at the end of the message. I received this information from a friend whose mother recently passed away. Apparently, this was caused by a medication that is deadly.

Here are the details and I suggest you pass it on to your loved ones and others.

I would like to thank those of you who expressed condolences on the recent passing of my mother. She suffered a hemorrhagic stroke while she was driving home from my house at 7:30 and passed away at 8:30. My mother's stroke and passing was an enormous shock to my family because she did not have any symptoms or risk factors for a stroke.

Just the week before she had gone to her doctor for a check up and received a clean bill of health. She did, however, develop a cold while she was visiting me and had taken Alka Seltzer Cold Plus for 3 days. Since her passing, we have learned that Alka Seltzer is one of the many cold medicines that contains Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) which can cause hemorrhagic strokes (cerebral bleeding) even with the first use.

I am forwarding a list of other medications that currently use PPA. These medicines are supposedly being recalled but my mother just purchased this medication less than two weeks ago. Pharmaceutical companies have known about this danger for years, we unfortunately, did not. I urge you to review the list of medicines with PPA and avoid these medications.

All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are dangerous. You may want to try calling the 800 number listed on most drug boxes and inquire about a REFUND. Please read this CAREFULLY. Also, please pass this on to everyone you know. STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient.
It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in brain) among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use of medication.

Problems were not found in men, but the FDA recommended that everyone (even children) seek alternative medicine. The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:

Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant 
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control 
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent 
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or or ange) 
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original 
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent 
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine 
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent 
Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine 
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder 
BC Sinus Cold Powder 
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief 
Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules 
Contac 12 Hour Caplets 
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus 
Dexatrim Caffeine Free 
Dexatrim Extended Duration 
Dexatrim Gelcaps 
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free 
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets 
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels 
Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir 
Dimetapp Elixir 
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels 
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets 
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets 
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops 
Permathene Mega-16 
Robitussin CF 
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion 
Triaminic DM Cough Rel! Ief 
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head 
Triaminic Syrup ! ! Cold & amp; Allergy 
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough 

They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on the box so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund. If you know of anyone else with small children, PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF! DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed. They can then pass it along to their families.

To confirm these findings please take time to check the following: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm150774.htm