The yacon potato (Smallanthus sonchifolius) has a sweet, slightly citrus taste, which when eaten is not thought to be a potato, as it can be eaten raw and has no starch.
Because it is a potato that is little known on family tables, except in Peru and Japan, many people are unaware of this potato and even fewer are aware of the countless benefits that its roots have when eaten pure.
The root of the yacon potato can also be used to make syrups, sweets, juices, vitamins and in salads. Its use is successful in nutritional treatments for diabetes control, weight control and inflammation.
Check out the main benefits of consuming this powerful root.
Improves intestinal health
Known for having natural probiotics, yacon potato when consumed helps improve intestinal transit, favored by preparing the intestinal mucosa to colonize good bacteria, which facilitate the absorption of nutrients and the preparation of the fecal bolus.
Helps control diabetes
Despite being sweet, its glycemic index is low, which is why yacon potato helps regulate blood sugar by reducing glycemic peaks and can be used as a natural sweetener that doesn’t harm diabetes.
Helps absorb electrolytes and minertals
In order to be absorbed efficiently, electrolytes and minerals require extremely fine absorption channels, so eating yacon potatoes helps to balance the pH level in the large intestine, favoring the absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Because it benefits calcium absorption, it helps prevent osteoporosis by improving bone density.
Improves immunity
Due to its high anti-inflammatory power in the intestine, yacon potato root helps to improve immune resistance and prevent infections caused by bacteria and allergies by cleansing the intestine.
Regulates blood pressure and helps the heart
Yacon potatoes are rich in potassium, a vasodilator mineral that helps the blood vessels relax, which leads to less tension in the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. As a result, blood flow is stable and problems with heart attacks and strokes are reduced.
Helps with antifungal treatment
The leaves of the yacon potato can be used as a natural antifungal, when placed on the skin they reduce mycosis and the disease known as “athlete’s foot”.
Reduces liver problems
As yacon potato helps regulate glucose levels, the liver doesn’t have to work as hard to transform glucose into energy or deposits, so it helps detoxify the liver. When consumed with milk, it helps reduce fat in the liver.
Helps with weight loss
Because yacon potatoes have a low glycemic index, are probiotics and are rich in fiber, they can help with weight loss. They help with satiety and improve digestion.
Prevents the appearance of cancer
Intestinal inflammation can be one of the causes of intestinal cancer, which is why yacon potatoes have anti-cancer properties that prevent the mutation and disorderly multiplication of cancer cells.
Improve your general health with yacon potatoes
In short, the benefits of eating yacon potatoes go from the inside out, because its fermenting power is able to cleanse the intestines and with this, a cascading effect results, such as weight loss, improved digestion, diabetes control and even preventing the onset of cancer.
It’s clear that food alone can’t work miracles, but rather a set of allied measures to promote better personal health, combined with a good diet and a beneficial lifestyle without a sedentary lifestyle.
However, it’s not easy to find and have available to eat, other potatoes are much more popular, but if you have the opportunity to eat it, there’s no need to know if you’ll like it or not, just eat a piece and you’ll taste sweet and citrus at the same time, and you’ll feel all these benefits.