Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 2 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 3 studies, 2 reported small beneficial effects of yacon on waist circumference, while 1 meta-analysis found no significant effect. The beneficial studies used yacon syrup or flour providing 0.1–0.14 g fructooligosaccharides (FOS) per kg body weight daily, with effects typically observed at 8–12 weeks (median 81 days). The evidence is limited to overweight and obese adults, particularly premenopausal women.
- Effective dose range: 0.1–0.14 g FOS/kg body weight per day
- Studied populations: Overweight and obese adults, especially premenopausal women with dyslipidemia
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. A meta-analysis of 246 participants found no significant effect on waist circumference, conflicting with the two small RCTs that reported significant reductions. The two positive studies used yacon syrup or flour providing FOS at 0.1–0.14 g/kg/day, but the optimal dose and form remain unclear.
Generated Jul 15, 2026