Glucomannan Health Benefits

1. Weight Loss

Konjac root’s fiber has a very low calorie content but is very high in fiber. Similar to many vegetables, this is a combination that promotes a healthy waist line. Of course, the rest of your diet has to be healthy, and you also need to be exercising regularly. Consuming konjac powder can help weight loss by promoting a feeling of fullness or satiety, which makes you less likely to overeat.

2. Natural Prebiotic

Probiotic foods are certainly essential for gut health and overall well-being, but prebiotics are what actually help “feed” probiotics. Prebiotics — like glucomannan as well as garlic, jicama and artichokes — are types of non-digestible fiber compound. Glucomannan, like all prebiotics, passes through the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract and remains undigested because the human body can’t fully break it down. But once prebiotics reach the colon, where they’re fermented by the gut microflora, they create probiotics.

Konjac root powder is a prebiotic that feeds the friendly bacteria in the intestine. A study published in 2008 demonstrated that glucomannan supplementation increases the fecal concentration of probiotics in general as well as specific probiotics like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.

Why is this important? Higher intakes of prebiotics are linked to benefits, including:

~ lower risk for cardiovascular disease
~ healthier cholesterol levels
~ better gut health
ι~ mproved digestion
~ lower stress response
~ better hormonal balance
~ higher immune function
~ lower risk for obesity and weight gain
~ lower inflammation and autoimmune reactions
~ The fact that konjac root is a prebiotic is one of the reasons why it has the next benefit.

3. Constipation Relief

Constipation is a common problem typically caused by a low-fiber diet, dehydration and lack of exercise. Several studies have demonstrated that glucomannan may be helpful for constipation. When consumed, the powder works as a prebiotic in your system, which is very helpful for promoting healthy bowel movements.

4. Lowers Cholesterol

A systemic analysis of 14 glucomannan studies was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and it revealed that the use of glucomannan had significantly beneficial effects on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, as well as body weight and fasting blood glucose. However, it did not affect HDL cholesterol or blood pressure.

More specifically, glucomannan was able to do the following in these studies: (8)

~ Lower total cholesterol by 19.3 mg/dL
~ Lower LDL cholesterol by 16 mg/dL
~ Lower triglycerides by 11.1 mg/dL
~ Lower fasting blood sugar by 7.4 mg/dL

5. Helps Diabetics

There are more than 20 scientific studies involving glucomannan and diabetes. One of the ways it can help diabetics is because it delays the stomach’s natural emptying process, which leads to more gradual sugar absorption and lower blood sugar levels after meals.