title: Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) as a Food Supplement: Health-Promoting Benefits of Fructooligosaccharides.
abstract: Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), a perennial plant of the family Asteraceae native to the Andean regions of South America, is an abundant source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). This comprehensive review of the literature addressed the role of yacon supplementation in promoting health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. According to several preclinical and clinical trials, FOS intake favors the growth of health-promoting bacteria while reducing pathogenic bacteria populations. Moreover, the endproducts of FOS fermentation by the intestinal microbiota, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), act as substrates or signaling molecules in the regulation of the immune response, glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. As a result, glycemic levels, body weight and colon cancer risk can be reduced. Based on these findings, most studies reviewed concluded that due to their functional properties, yacon roots may be effectively used as a dietary supplement to prevent and treat chronic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil. brnncaetano@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Brunno F R
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Caetano
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil. nelcimoura@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nelci A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: de Moura
authors.affiliation: Departament of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sao Paulo State University, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil. anap.almeida@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Ana P S
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop 78550-000, Mato Grosso, Brazil. marcosdias16@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marcos C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Departament of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sao Paulo State University, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil. katiasiv@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Kátia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sivieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil. barbisan@ibb.unesp.br.
authors.forename: Luís F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Barbisan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D064806:Dysbiosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005285:Fermentation; D005511:Food Handling; D055951:Functional Food / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035281:Plant Tubers / Q000737:chemistry*; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D056692:Prebiotics; C116580:fructooligosaccharide; C535244:yacon syrup
keywords: chronic diseases; fructooligosacharides; functional food; prebiotics; yacon