As discussed before, there are many natural alternatives to refined sugar or chemical based sweeteners, one such replacement is yacon syrup. Yacon, which is grown in the Peruvian Andes, is a sweet tuberous root vegetable that produces a rich, sweet, brown syrup. Because it has a negligible glycemic load, it has been used successfully in the diets of individuals with diabetes. Yacon is naturally low in calories, and it contains about 30 calories per tablespoon. Yacon is also believed to promote beneficial bacteria in the colon. Research has proven that yacon is beneficial for those with hypertension. By thinning the blood, yacon can lower blood pressure by 5 to 10 percent. It can also lower cholesterol and discourage clot formation.

Yacon is high in oligofructose, a naturally occurring sugar, which the human body does not metabolize, hence its potential use for diabetics and in body-weight control. Yacon resembles maple syrup in both look and taste.
The cost is about 11 dollars for a 13-ounce bottle. You will probably use less yacon than agave to obtain the same level of sweetness in your food.

For more information about all natural sweenters or incorporating more natural choices into our lifestyle see The Raw Food Diet Myth now available on Amazon.com.