Yacon, Corn & Carrot Soup

Why people make this soup

Yacon looks like a sweet potato but behaves quite differently in the body: its natural sweetness comes mainly from fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a type of prebiotic fibre that is not absorbed by the body the way sugar is. Instead, FOS feeds beneficial gut bacteria, which supports digestive health, and research on FOS suggests it may also help modulate blood lipid and cholesterol levels. In Chinese food therapy, yacon is valued for clearing heat, lubricating the intestines, and supporting liver function. Paired with corn — which in Chinese food therapy supports the heart and digestion — and carrot, which nourishes the eyes and liver, this simple three-ingredient soup is about as gentle and broadly beneficial as soups get: neither warming nor cooling, pleasant tasting, and suitable for the whole family.