The other day I was watching Dr. Oz's show and he was discussing the weight loss benefits of yacon syrup. I'd never heard of it before, so I set out to research a little bit more about it. I learned that it comes from the yacon plant (similar to the sweet potato) found in the Andes mountains and other parts of South America.
The syrup has a thick consistency, sort of like molasses and it's said to curb hunger, satisfy your sweet tooth, and contain a secret ingredient which prevents the body from absorbing it like regular sugar. This in turn helps you lose weight. Wait until you hear what the secret ingredient is!
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The syrup is sweet, but it is an acquired taste since it has a raisin flavor that is hit or miss with many people. Although it is sugary, unlike other sweeteners it contains fructooligosaccharides, a low calorie carb that the body can taste but not digest. The bacteria in your stomach also processes the carb differently and it curbs hunger as well as producing fatty acids the body needs to prevent weight gain.
so what else is there to know about yacon syrup? Check out these interesting facts below:
It has a low glycemic index: One of the biggest concerns with losing weight is limiting sugar intake. Yacon syrup only has a glycemic index of one which makes it safe enough even for diabetics.
Weight loss is pretty much guaranteed: A study done by Dr. Oz focused on 60 women who ate a teaspoon of yacon syrup before every meal for a month. The result? 73 percent of these women lost weight. A study in Argentina done on obese women also found that on average these ladies dropped 33 pounds in four months.
It keeps you regular: All the fiber found in the syrup is certain to keep you regular if you suffer from constipation. It is advised that you take the suggested amount and avoid going overboard with it as it can cause diarrhea, nausea, and gas.
It lowers blood sugar: The syrup is already low in sugar thanks to its fructooligosaccharides. It was given to obese people with insulin resistance in another study. In the end yucon syrup proved to lower their insulin levels significantly.
Yacon syrup is the perfect sugar substitute: Unlike other sugar substitutes that still have lots of sugar or questionable ingredients, yacon syrup does not. You can naturally sweeten your tea, coffee, yogurt and other foods with it, minus baked goods.
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