Smallanthus sonchifolia Yacon by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Smallanthus sonchifolia is a plant that produces tasty, nutritious root vegetables and leaves. Smallanthus sonchifolia is a good source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). This plant  may be used to help regulate blood sugar, and to promote healthy intestinal flora, aiding the beneficial bacteria in their fight against bodily infections. Smallanthus sonchifolia is the botanical name and this herb is also known as yacon.

Smallanthus sonchifolia Plant as an antioxidant and for blood sugar management
The constituents relate to anti-oxidative and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities in Smallanthus sonchifolia aerial part extract
Yakugaku Zasshi. 2006 Aug;126(8):665-9. Research Laboratory, Zenyaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
Hot water extract of the aerial part of Yacon Smallanthus sonchifolia, Compositae showed potent free radical-scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate. The most potent antioxidative activity focused on the 50% MeOH-eluted fraction. The structure of the major component in the fraction was identified as 2,3,5-tricaffeoylaltraric acid (TCAA). The antioxidative activity of TCAA is superior to that of natural antioxidants such as catechin, alpha-tocopherol, and ellagic acid. As the hypoglycemic activity of Smallanthus sonchifolia extract was described in a previous report, the present results showing that the aerial part of Smallanthus sonchifolia has strong antioxidative activity may encourage its potential use as a food supplement to prevent type II diabetes.