title: Freeze-dried powdered yacon: effects of FOS on serum glucose, lipids and intestinal transit in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Freeze-dried powdered yacon (FDY) can be considered a prebiotic product due to its fructooligosaccharides (FOS) content. The effect of 9 weeks of daily intake of FDY containing 7.4 g of FOS on glucose, lipid metabolism and intestinal transit in a group of elderly people was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two elderly (mean age 67.11 ± 6.11) men and women were studied for 9 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment. They were randomly assigned to the supplement group (which received 7.4 g of FOS as FDY) or the control group. At the beginning and end of the study, anthropometric measurements, blood sampling, clinical analyses and dietary intake were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A daily intake of FDY containing 7.4 g of FOS for 9 weeks was associated with a mean decrease in serum glucose (p = 0.013), but supplementation did not reduce serum lipids in the study group. The administered dose did not adversely affect intestinal transit. It did not cause bloating, flatulence or intestinal discomfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Freeze-dried powdered yacon is a good source of FOS, and daily consumption can have a favourable effect on serum glucose in the elderly. It is also practical, easy and safe to use and store.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, mma.scheid@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: M M A
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Scheid
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Genaro
authors.forename: Y M F
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Pastore
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D056692:Prebiotics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D056692:Prebiotics; D014280:Triglycerides; C116580:fructooligosaccharide; D002097:C-Reactive Protein