How much Yacon do I need to take for good digestive health?
Research has shown the good bacteria numbers to be boosted with as little as 5g of FOS. About 10g is usually ideal. You should have benefits from around 2 teaspoons of Yacon syrup a day.    

Can I take too much?
As with any food, you can over do it! Yacon is high in soluble fibre, which is great for health but it can pay to start slowly if you tend to eat mainly processed foods. If you usually have a diet rich in fruits, veges and whole foods, no problem!

Is Yacon ok for kids?
Yacon is great for kids and is good for building a healthy digestive system.  

How long do the Yacon tubers last?
The yacon tubers stay good for months if kept in the dark and cool. Just a dark place in the pantry is fine. They do have a high water content so can get softer over time, but just peel and enjoy!

Why do only the “good” bacteria use FOS?
The ‘good’ bifidobacteria strain is able to thrive on FOS when other microorganisms show no change because they have a potent enzyme called Beta-fructosidase which can easily breakdown the large FOS molecules for digestion. The acid environment created can also enhance the growth of beneficial Lactobacillus strains.

How does FOS improve immunity?
In a healthy gut, the ‘good’ bifidobacteria naturally produce antimicrobial agents that kill off or inhibit the more harmful micro-organisms. These harmful bacteria can bind to the gut wall potentially causing small holes. These holes can become enlarged and allow large molecules to enter the bloodstream where the immune system attacks leading to food intolerances and even allergies. The gut microflora also plays a role in educating the immune system by providing a valuable environment of antigens. Certain species may also stimulate the cell-mediated immune response against gastrointestinal pathogens. For example, Lactobacillus rhamnosus stimulates cellular immune features which are involved in combating rotavirus mediated diarrhoea.

Where do other FOS products come from?
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin are chains of fructose molecules (sometimes with a terminal glucose). Molecules with a degree of polymerisation greater than 20 (long chain) are referred to as inulin. FOS is often prepared commercially from inulin in a hydrolysis reaction using inulinase, and may also be derived in enzymatic synthetic reaction via transfer of fructosyl units from sucrose molecules. Yacon naturally produce the shorter chain FOS which does not require any modification.