Yacon is a syrup native to the Andean region of South America. Its name is derived from a plant that grows in the heights of the valley of the Andes Mountains. It has huge leaves and is similar to potatoes in that its root system rests in the ground. Digging up the yacon root extracts the syrup from the root. The syrup is extracted from the root of the plant, this plant is called yacon and looks similar to the sweet potatoes Americans are accused of eating.

It is a sugar substitute because it does not contain glucose and does not increase blood sugar levels. Because the syrup does not contain glucose, it is often recommended as a sweetener for those who have diabetes or are at risk of becoming diabetic. One of the great advantages is that yacon syrup does not affect the bloodstream like a high glycemic index food, which means that it does not affect blood sugar levels. By comparison, agave syrup acts similarly to yacon in that it can also be substituted for sugar and is easily digestible and does not put blood sugar at risk.

Yacon looks like barley malt or brown rice syrup, but yacon tastes more like molasses and has a thick consistency. Due to its consistency, yacon syrup goes well with peanut butter or any type of nut butter. It also complements granola well. For anyone on a restricted diet, it is recommended to use spell (bread) topped with a teaspoon of yacon syrup. By comparison, agave syrup comes in two varieties, light brown and dark amber. Light brown agave is similar in color to honey, but has a lighter flavor than honey and is recommended if you don’t prefer the aftertaste of honey. Dark brown agave is thicker and heated longer in the extraction process, but it pairs well with dark desserts like fruitcake or brownies. This particular agave tastes more like molasses and really does resemble yacon flavored syrup as well. However, for beverages like teas or coffee, light agave syrup will complement any drink.

Both yacon and agave syrup are glucose-free sugar substitutes. Both are great sweeteners for people on a restricted diet or just trying to control their sugar intake. However, when deciding between the two, yacon syrup is only available in health food stores, but agave syrup is already available in supermarkets and is more familiar. Agave syrup is highly recommended by most dieticians due to its popularity and greater availability for use in foods. However, yacon syrup is mainly used in the vegan diet for gluten-free recipes. The choice is up to you and the good part is that it comes from nature and due to the high fructose content of yacon and agave syrup it means less is needed which is the most important factor of all. That means better blood sugar levels and a better chance of achieving optimal health.