Yacon

Yacon, another name for Jerusalem artichokes, is called "Wangenshao" in Sichuan, China. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, native to the Andes Mountains in South America. Residents of the Andes Mountains grow this plant as a root vegetable. The tubers of Jerusalem artichokes are rich in water and fructooligosaccharides, taste sweet and crisp, and can also be eaten as fruit. In the market in Taiwan, vendors sell the tubers of Jerusalem artichokes as "underground fruit" or "Tianshan snow lotus". In fact, Jerusalem artichokes and snow lotus are two different plants.

Nutritional value of yacon

Data from the International Potato Center shows that yacon is rich in sweet oligofructose. There is no enzyme in the human body that can hydrolyze this carbohydrate, so it is difficult to be absorbed by humans. It can also be used by diabetics. Yacon is rich in more than 20 kinds of amino acids and multiple vitamins and minerals needed by the human body, especially oligosaccharides, which can promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

The fructooligosaccharide content of yacon is 60-70% of the dry matter, which is the highest content among all plants. It is also rich in minerals and trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, and selenium. Japanese research has found that taking 3-6g of fructooligosaccharide every day can reduce the content of toxic carcinogenic compounds in human feces by more than 40% within 3 weeks. Yacon carbohydrates are rarely absorbed by the human body, so it is very suitable for diabetics and dieters.

The efficacy and function of yacon

1. Lubricate the intestines and promote bowel movements

Yacon is rich in fiber, which can effectively promote intestinal peristalsis, remove intestinal waste, improve constipation, prevent diarrhea, and improve gastrointestinal function. After consumption, fructooligosaccharides selectively act on beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria in the intestine and cause them to proliferate in large quantities. The acetic acid and lactic acid produced during the proliferation of bifidobacteria can enhance the coordination of intestinal motility and intestinal peristalsis, promote the contraction of the intestinal wall, regulate intestinal microecology, correct intestinal dysfunction, and have the effect of improving constipation and maintaining the intestine.

2. Enhance immunity

Yacon can promote the synthesis of B vitamins in the human body, improve the body's metabolism level, enhance immunity and disease resistance, and at the same time promote the absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.

3. Detoxification and Heat Reduction

Yacon can quickly cleanse intestinal toxins, expel toxins from the body, purify the internal environment, inhibit the absorption of harmful substances, and prevent toxins from harming health and appearance. It can also eliminate symptoms such as bad breath caused by heat toxins in the body.

4. Control blood sugar

Yacon contains sweet fructooligosaccharides. There is no enzyme in the human body that can hydrolyze this carbohydrate, so it is difficult for people to accept it. Diabetic patients can also eat yacon with confidence. Since diabetic patients will inevitably reduce the intake of other foods after eating yacon, eating more yacon is also a kind of dietary control for diabetic patients.

Medicinal value of yacon

1. Regulate the blood, lower blood sugar, blood lipids and cholesterol, prevent and treat hypertension and diabetes, and also have certain effects on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and obesity.

2. Help digestion, regulate and improve the poor condition of the digestive system. Because yacon is rich in water-soluble dietary fiber and the highest content of fructooligosaccharides among all plants, it can significantly promote gastrointestinal motility, moisten the intestines and relieve constipation. It can not only eliminate constipation, but also prevent and treat diarrhea. It is the nemesis of gastrointestinal diseases. The most amazing thing is that it is a proliferation factor of intestinal Bacillus, which overcomes the systemic diseases caused by the imbalance of beneficial bacteria in the intestines such as Bacillus due to the tense rhythm of life and excessive use of antibiotics. It can remove environmental pollutants brought into the human body by food, and is a scavenger and protector of the stomach and intestines.

3. It can resist oxidation, eliminate free radicals, and reduce or avoid the occurrence of stones.

4. It has the effects of clearing liver and detoxifying, reducing fire and blood pressure. It is an effective natural health product for preventing and treating acne and pimples, and maintaining beauty. Yacon also contains 20 kinds of amino acids and minerals and trace elements such as calcium, iron, potassium, and selenium. Regular consumption can improve the body's immunity; it has the effect of strengthening the body, and it is also a natural Viagra for men to strengthen their sexual function. Yacon is a trendy fruit that makes you beautiful today. Yacon is a rare crop that has emerged out of nowhere. Its appearance heralds the beginning of a new era of health fruits. It will be in short supply within 10 years. It can make growers rich and users can strengthen their bodies.

Side effects and contraindications of yacon

1. It is very cold in nature, so people with poor stomach should be careful when eating it. Eating a large amount of it will cause symptoms such as stomach cold and loose stools.

2. People with cold stomach may feel bloated after eating cold food, but they can soak it in boiling water before eating. Most people will have diarrhea in the first three days after eating it, but it will be normal after four days. The bowel movements will be like those of children, which is normal.

3. In a very small number of people, eating too much yacon can easily lead to diarrhea, metabolic acidosis, increased heart rate but decreased blood pressure, dehydration, hypoproteinemia, impaired consciousness and even shock in severe cases. This is clinically proven, but the incidence of this situation is about one in a million.

4. Eating too much yacon will cause bloating and frequent farts, making you depressed and uncomfortable. However, this is a good sign that the yacon is exerting its medicinal effects and regulating your gastrointestinal function.

5. Yacon contains a chemical component, namely tannin, also known as tannin. After the yacon is cut and peeled, it will turn brown when exposed to the air. The reason for the discoloration is due to oxidation. The phenols in the tannin produce quinone polymers to form brown pigments, that is, melanin. In order to prevent discoloration, the peeled and cut yacon can be soaked in clean water to isolate it from the air to prevent oxidation and discoloration. So we should eat fresh, peel it first, so as to avoid chemical reactions that cause the entry and exit of melanin.

How to eat yacon

Tianshan Yacon looks plain and simple, but its eating methods are quite diverse. It not only has the health-care functions of cooling down, clearing away heat and detoxifying, strengthening the stomach and intestines, and softening blood vessels, but is also a delicious delicacy in restaurants and hotels. Here are its various eating methods.

1. The simplest way to eat yacon is to eat it raw. After picking the yacon from the soil, just wash off the topsoil and peel off the skin, and you can eat it directly like a fruit. If you can leave it for two or three days after picking, it will increase its sweetness and highlight its juicy, crisp, sweet and fragrant characteristics.

2. Yacon can be used to make various dishes according to local eating habits, and it is also a good cooking method.

3. If you stew or cook yacon, it will become a nourishing winter dish for the indigenous people. The soup will be more fragrant and delicious, and can also help stimulate appetite and strengthen the spleen.

4. Chop the yacon into pieces and make them into sweet cookies. Because it is sweet in itself, there is no need to add sugar for seasoning. It will become a delicious tea snack and is also in line with the concept of modern urbanites pursuing natural and green health foods.

5. Now some businesses have spotted the potential of this market and developed yacon tea, yacon jelly, yacon pastries, etc. using yacon as raw material, allowing everyone to taste the yacon flavors of various tastes.