Yacon syrup supplementation improves cholesterol and body composition in overweight and obese women: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease with high prevalence among women in Brazil. It can cause changes in glycemic, lipid and anthropometric profiles, bringing about adjacent diseases. Yacon syrup contains prebiotics that have been shown to have a positive effect on obesity originated diseases. Our study evaluated the effect of long-term use of yacon syrup on lipid, glycemic, anthropometric profiles and oxidative damage markers in overweight or obese women assisted in an university extension project. Materials and Methods: In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 15 adult women were allocated into yacon group (n=10) and control group (n=5). They consumed 12 mL of yacon syrup (5.3 g of fructooligosaccharides) and 12 mL of maltodextrin syrup (placebo) for 30 days, after breakfast, and followed an individualized food plan. Blood samples were collected and an anthropometric assessment was performed before (D1) and after (D2) the 30 days of intervention. Results and discussion : There was no significant change in fasting blood glucose in any of the evaluated groups (P<0,05). There was a decrease in the amount of body fat, cholesterol and 8-isoprostane after 30 days of yacon syrup supplementation (P<0,05). Conclusion: Chronic yacon syrup had no effect on the glycemic profile, but decreased total cholesterol, body fat and 8-isoprostane levels in overweight or obese women.