Superfood Spotlight: Yacon Powder

Looking to try some new superfoods in celebration of the new year? While we’re always ready to introduce new superfoods into our diets, we have to admit that a new year is a great excuse to experiment and find new sources of antioxidants and other health benefits. Today we’re celebrating a lesser-known, but powerful superfood: Yacon powder.

Low Calorie, Low Glycemic 

Recently we’ve been excited about Yacon powder, a low-calorie and low-glycemic sweetener made from the Yacon root, consumed in South America for centuries. Yacon powder is great for diabetics, as it can keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day, as well as those watching their sugar intake, as it is a source of Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a type of sugar that breaks down slowly and passes through the body without absorption. In other words, FOS allows us to get all of the sweet goodness of sugar without many of its not-so-great side effects - sounds like a great deal to us!

Gut Health, Improved Digestion

Just when the benefits of FOS may sound too good to be true, there’s more to come. First of all, FOS acts as a probiotic, helping the “good” bacteria in your digestive tract flourish, while also improving our body’s absorption of vitamin B, calcium, and magnesium. Additionally, when the good bacteria in your gut is healthy, your digestive tract can function at optimal levels, so it’s great for individuals with IBS. 

Bone Health, Cleansing Properties 

Finally, the FOS in Yacon powder has been known to increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis, eliminate toxins in our bodies, and act as an antioxidant. Basically, there’s nothing this sugar can’t do.

Yacon powder is a great way to add flavor to raw desserts, shakes, and baked goods, and can be substituted like-for-like for sugar in volume. In other words, feel free to replace the sugar in any of your favorite recipes with Yacon powder to enjoy the same great taste with a plethora of added benefits. Looking for a recipe to get you started? Check out these superfood-packed chocolate chip hemp cookies - we have a batch in the oven as we speak:

Chocolate Chip Hemp Cookies Recipe

Courtesy of A Dash of Compassion

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1 cup almond meal
• 1/2 cup yacon powder
• 2 tbsp hemp seeds
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 tbsp warm water, if needed
• 1/4 cup cacao nibs

Directions:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the oat flour, almond meal, yacon powder, hemp seeds, baking soda and salt.
• Add the coconut oil and mix to combine. If the dough seems dry, add the water 1 tablespoon at a time. The mixture should stick together when pressed between two fingers. Fold in the cacao nibs.
• Roll the mixture into flat disks by hand and place them on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Allow to cool completely. Store cookies in an air-tight container at room temperature.

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