Another Ingredient in Shakeology - Yakon

Ok, here is more of what I have found in my research into the ingredients in Shakeology. This is no ordinary shake full of fillers and sugar and chemicals.
Risa

YACON

Found in the Andes mountains in Peru, it is known for it's sweet, crisp root tubers (think carrot). The texture and flavor is like a cross between a watermelon and an apple. This is why it is sometimes called the apple of the earth.

Yacon is a powerful anti-oxidant and has been shown to protect liver cells from oxidative damage. It also has some insulin-like effects by reducing glucose production in the liver (Great for Diabetics).

But it gets better. Yacon has a whole host of indirect effects as well.

Yacon is important because it has one of the highest concentrations of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) of any plant known to man. These are sweet tasting, big sugar molecules that are not digestible by people, therefore they are considered a source of dietary fiber. Since FOS's pass undigested through the GI system, they add sweetness without adding extra calories or cause a spike in blood sugar (again Diabetics).

Although we don't use them for energy the "good bacteria" in your large intestine do! (By the process of fermentation.) This helps the good bugs grow and keeps the bad bugs in check, maintaining a favorable balance that keeps you healthy.

This is what they mean when they Shakeology contains "prebiotics." Prebiotics are special food ingredients that promote growth of good gut bacteria, thus conferring health benefits upon you (the host).

Yacon specifically stimulates the growth of a type of good bacteria called Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus.

OK, so why is this important?

There is evidence that Bifidobacteia are involved in all kinds of healthy stuff!

-aid digestion
-associated with decreased incidence of allergies
-boost the immune system
-control gut pH
-may help prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea
-one type (B. Infantis) has been shown to dramatically reduce irritable bowel syndrome symptoms
-control the population of bad actors like E. Coli
-control growth of Candida Albicans (yeast)

And finally, for today, there is growing evidence that prebiotics can protect against the formation and growth of colon cancers! The jury is still out on this, and some of the evidence is contradictory, and the optimal dose of prebiotics has not been figured out yet, but there are several positive studies suggesting prebiotics may have a role in colon cancer prevention.

Researchers performed a double-blind placebo-controlled trial (the gold standard of trials) looking at the effects of yacon syrup taken over a period of 12 weeks.

They found daily intake of yacon syrup produced a significant decrease in body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI). It was associated with an increased feeling of satiety. It also resulted in improvement in an index of insulin resistance and in LDL (bad) chlolesterol.