Across all 3 studies on yacon and reduced body weight, all reported beneficial effects with 3 statistically significant findings. The predominant effect size was small in the two clinical trials, while a meta-analysis reported a large pooled effect. Effects were typically observed at 6-17 weeks (median 81 days). Most evidence comes from obese or overweight adults, with doses approximating 0.1-0.14 g fructooligosaccharides/kg/day. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed).

• Effective dose range: 0.1-0.14 g fructooligosaccharides/kg/day
• Studied populations: Obese and overweight adults, including pre-menopausal women with dyslipidemia

Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Effect sizes are mixed: two RCTs showed small effects, while the meta-analysis reported a large pooled effect (-8.22 kg). The meta-analysis included a limited number of trials and had a very wide confidence interval, suggesting uncertainty in the magnitude of benefit.