"Super sweet potato" in the sand: although it is very earthy, it is a "smooth artifact"!

Want to find a cheap and easy-to-use "smooth artifact"? Now we introduce this "civilian hero" - Yacon! This guy looks like a sweet potato and is as crispy as an apple. Not only is it affordable at less than two yuan, it is also in the top team of constipation killers!

1. Which is Yacon?

Don't be fooled by the fact that this thing looks like a cousin of the sweet potato, earthy and a little sandy, but Yacon is a real "overseas Chinese"! Originally from South America, Yacon has now settled in the sandy land of China, becoming a down-to-earth "nutritional sand rich man". Take a bite, the crunchy taste, with a light sweetness of sugarcane, has become nature's energy bar!

2. Why is Yacon so great?

1. Surprisingly high dietary fiber content

As we know, yacon is also known as the "king of oligofructose". The content of oligofructose in yacon is extremely high.

Oligofructose is a fructan composed of linear short-chain fructose molecules, which can be naturally found in plants. As a functional oligosaccharide, oligofructose can regulate the balance of intestinal flora and improve constipation. The carbohydrates in fresh yacon are about 20%, most of which are oligofructose.

2. Oligofructose: the "special forces" in the intestines

The oligofructose in yacon is a natural prebiotic (FOS), which is also a dietary fiber. It can make the probiotics in your intestines grow happily. Compared with the probiotic dietary fiber drinks that cost more than ten yuan, this "super sweet potato" that costs less than two yuan per pound is simply amazing.

3. Vitamins and minerals: a nutritional "family bucket"

It also contains all kinds of minerals such as potassium and magnesium. It is not only low in calories and sugar, but also good news for people who want to lose weight, and diabetic patients can also eat it with confidence.

3. Tips for your wallet: expensive things are not necessarily good things

Compared with the dazzling array of probiotics and dietary fiber products on the market, the yacon from our sandy soil is only priced at 1-2 yuan per catty, has real effects, and is far ahead in cost-effectiveness!

The consumption strategy varies from person to person, and gradual progress is the key: for example, a beginner can take 50-100 grams per day. An advanced user can take 100-200 grams per day. Experts can control the dosage by themselves.

There are many ways to eat it:

Raw food lovers: wash and slice, crunchy

Cold salad: add some vinegar and minced garlic, it is appetizing, refreshing and chewy, and can be chilled

Stir-fry group: can be stir-fried with carrots, lettuce, etc.

Cooking glutinous rice balls: You can also cook them with pork ribs to double the nutrition

Friendly reminder:

Friends who are trying it for the first time, please note: Although yacon is delicious, don't be greedy! Eating too much at one time may make you experience "rapid mode". Those who understand will understand. It is recommended to start with a small amount to let the intestines slowly adapt to this "super sweet potato".

Fun tips:

After taking root in China, this "Sand Model Worker" has been quietly contributing to our intestinal health with its strong adaptability and affordable price. It is like a low-key "nutrition agent", proving with practical actions that good things don't necessarily have to cost a lot of money!

Final Words

In this era of refined food, this unpretentious and sandy "super sweet potato" has proved one thing to us with its real price and amazing nutritional value: sometimes, the most simple and unpretentious nature is the most precious treasure!

References

1. Slavin, J.L. (2005). “Dietary fiber and body weight.” Nutrition, 21(3), 411-418.

2. Genta, SB, Cabrera, WM, et al. (2010). “Subchronic toxicity study of yacon syrup in rats.” Food and Chemical Toxicology, 48(4), 1172-1180.

3. Habib, H., & Makino, R. (2014). “Effects of dietary yacon on the intestinal microbiota.” Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 25(5), 556-562.

4. Delzenne, NM, & Cani, PD (2010). “Gut microbiota and energy metabolism.” Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 13(6), 483-488.

5. Robfrud, M. (2007). "Prebiotics: revisiting the concept." Journal of Nutrition, 137(3), 830S-837S.