Konjac Fiber: Benefits, Uses & Nutritional Information

Konjac fiber, also known as Konjac glucomannan, is derived from the Konjac plant root. The plant's scientific name is Amorphophallus konjac. Native to Asia, this purely vegetable, water-soluble dietary fiber does not contain any wheat, gluten, carbohydrates, calories, fat, protein or sugar.

History

• It has been used in Chinese cuisine for over 2,000 years, and is considered as a health food in Asia.

Identification

• It is commonly known as konnyaku, which is Japanese for devil's tongue, a name derived from the plant's appearance.

Function

• As a soluble fiber, it reduces blood cholesterol by slowing the absorption rate of digested sugars, a positive factor for people with diabetes.

Features

• It also promotes weight loss by remaining in the stomach, causing it to feel full, and it works as a natural laxative, pulling out impurities collected in the digestive tract.

Warning

• Due to the choking hazard from not taking konjac fibers properly, konjac fiber weight-loss supplements have been banned in some countries.