# The Effect of Yacon Consumption on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profiles: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

## TL;DR

A meta-analysis found that yacon consumption does not significantly improve blood sugar or cholesterol levels in adults, though some benefits were seen in specific groups after 8 weeks.

## Contribution

This is the first meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the effects of yacon on glycemic control and lipid profiles in randomized controlled trials.

## Key findings

- Yacon consumption did not significantly affect fasting blood sugar, insulin, or lipid levels overall.
- Subgroup analysis showed reduced fasting blood sugar and LDL cholesterol in individuals over 40 or after 8 weeks of consumption.
- HDL cholesterol increased in individuals aged 40 and above after long-term yacon intake.

## Abstract

Recent human studies have indicated the beneficial effects of yacon on diabetes and metabolic syndrome; however, no meta‐analysis has investigated the effects of yacon on glycemic control and lipid profiles.

Searches were conducted in five databases—PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library—and relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) until June 2024. The random‐effects model was employed to compute the effect size, thereafter represented as a weighted mean difference (WMD) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). This study's registration number in PROSPERO is CRD420251028504.

This study integrated seven RCTs with 239 participants. The results demonstrated that yacon consumption had no statistically significant effects on fasting blood sugar (FBS, p = 0.33), insulin levels (p = 0.76), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR, p = 0.42), total cholesterol (TC, p = 0.17), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL, p = 0.12), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL, p = 0.42), or triglycerides (TG, p = 0.75). However, subgroup studies indicated that yacon consumption reduced FBS levels over an exceeding 8‐week duration in both sexes and in persons over 40. Furthermore, yacon intake resulted in a decrease in LDL‐cholesterol levels for more than 8 weeks, particularly in women and individuals over 40. Additionally, it led to a decrease in LDL‐cholesterol levels among women and individuals over 40 who consumed yacon for more than 8 weeks, and HDL‐cholesterol levels increased in those aged 40 and above.

Overall, this meta‐analysis indicates that yacon use in adults does not lead to significant improvements in lipid profiles or glycemic parameters.

Yacon did not significantly affect FBS, insulin levels, HOMA‐IR, TC, LDL, HDL, and TG. Yacon consumption reduced FBS levels over an exceeding 8‐week duration in both sexes and in persons over 40.