Yacon syrup: beneficial effects on obesity and insulin resistance in humans.
OBJECTIVE
Syrup obtained from yacon roots could be well positioned as a nutraceutical product due to its high fructooligosaccharides content. We examined the beneficial effects and tolerance of yacon syrup on human health.


METHODS
Obese and slightly dyslipidemic pre-menopausal women were studied over a 120-day period in a double-blind placebo-controlled experiment. We used two doses of yacon syrup, 0.29 g and 0.14 g fructooligosaccharides/kg/day. At the start and end of the study, anthropometric measurements, blood glucose, calcium, lipid and insulin concentrations and Homeostasis Model Assessment index were determined.


RESULTS
The recommended daily consumption of yacon syrup with no undesirable gastrointestinal effects is 0.14 g fructooligosaccharides/kg. Daily intake of yacon syrup produced a significant decrease in body weight, waist circumference and body mass index. Additionally, decrease in fasting serum insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessment index was observed. The consumption of yacon syrup increased defecation frequency and satiety sensation. Fasting glucose and serum lipids were not affected by syrup treatment and the only positive effect was found in serum LDL-cholesterol levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Yacon syrup is a good source of fructooligosaccharides and its long-term consumption produced beneficial health effects on obese pre-menopausal women with insulin resistance.
Genta
Susana
S
Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Chacabuco 461, 4000-San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
Cabrera
Wilfredo
W
Habib
Natalia
N
Pons
Juan
J
Carillo
Iván Manrique
IM
Grau
Alfredo
A
Sánchez
Sara
S
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000178:diet therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012528:Satiety Response / Q000187:drug effects
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations; C535244:yacon syrup; D002118:Calcium