Relation between the andean tuber yacon and the human health - DOI: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v8i0.9723

Abstract

Yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia) is a plant that has been used as medicinal in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This work has the objective to discuss studies with yacon and its benefits to the human health. It was done a bibliographic revision between the years 1983 and 2008, using the words yacon and Polymnia sonchifolia, using database Scientific Library Online (SCIELO) and Academic Google in Portuguese, Spanish and English languages. Yacon is an Andean tuber that is generally consumed raw, is slightly sweet and refreshing. Nowadays, yacon is described as a food with the higher content of fruit oligosaccharides in the nature. If consumed in recommended dosages, yacon can give good effects to control cholesterol levels, diminishing the risk factors of diabetes, among other effects. In the popular medicine, its leaves are used to control diabetes and high cholesterol. Is important to point out that this tuber is not a substitution to the adopted therapies, but is a co adjuvant and magnifier in the treatments, being another therapeutically option.