How Does Glucomannan Help You Lose Weight?

How Does Glucomannan Help You Lose Weight?

Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows that it’s not always easy, it can require adjustments to your lifestyle, effort and commitment. However, there are certain dietary supplements and foods that are marketed as being effective for weight loss. Some are more effective than others, and glucomannan is a dietary fiber that has recently gained attention for its possible weight loss benefits. We outline exactly what glucomannan is, the effect it has in the body, and how it has been linked to losing weight.

What exactly is glucomannan and where does it come from?

A natural source of dietary fiber, glucomannan is a plant-based food that cannot be broken down or absorbed completely by the body. Glucomannan is a water-soluble fiber extracted from roots of the South East Asian konjac plant, also known as the elephant yam. It is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to detoxify and cleanse.

Glucomannan comes in several forms, including dietary supplements and food additives. It is often used as a gelling agent or thickener and can be added to products such as flour or pasta. In fact, glucomannan flour is a key ingredient in many noodles, such as Zero Noodles.

What does glucomannan do in the body?

Glucomannan is a soluble fiber with an incredible ability to absorb water. Glucomannan can actually absorb up to 50x its own weight in water. Essentially, glucomannan acts as a sponge in the digestive tract and forms a bulky fiber in your stomach. As we mentioned, dietary fiber cannot be broken down or absorbed by the body, so it is expelled in the normal way.

How does glucomannan help you lose weight?

Because glucomannan works in the gut by absorbing water, forming a bulky fiber, it can help you feel fuller and more satisfied for longer, thereby helping to reduce your appetite. By eating foods made with glucomannan - for example, noodles or pasta - you can enjoy a full meal without consuming the calories you would normally get from regular noodles or pasta. If you are following a calorie-controlled diet, glucomannan can make it easier to reduce your calorie intake while still eating enjoyable meals.

Are there any other benefits of taking glucomannan?

In addition to helping you to lose weight, many researchers believe there are other health and lifestyle benefits of taking glucomannan. Traditionally, glucomannan was used in China for cleansing and detoxing and is often used to combat constipation. Because glucomannan is an excellent natural source of soluble fiber, it is considered to be a bulk-forming laxative, which relieves constipation by getting things moving and helping stools pass easily.

Glucomannan may also improve gut health because it helps the "friendly bacteria" in the gut. Just like other forms of fiber, glucomannan increases bulk and improves colon health by speeding up the transit time through the colon.

In addition to the gut, glucomannan is also believed to be beneficial for the largest organ in the body, the skin, by keeping it healthy and hydrated. It is believed this is because glucomannan is a probiotic that fuels the skin’s natural microbiome, keeping it well balanced.

It has been stated that glucomannan may actually slow down the absorption of both sugar and cholesterol, so it may be beneficial for controlling sugar levels for diabetes and also for lowering cholesterol levels, including the LDL "bad" cholesterol..

How can you take glucomannan?

Glucomannan can be taken in many forms, including a supplement as a capsule, tablet, or shot. It is also possible to get meal replacement glucomannan shakes and powder. A popular option, especially for those who like to stick to more traditional meals while following specific eating plans, is glucomannan noodles, rice and pasta, such as Zero Noodles Fettuccine.

Are there any side effects?

Generally, glucomannan has been well tolerated by most people. However, because glucomannan predominantly affects the gut, mild side effects include flatulence, bloating, soft stools or diarrhea. It’s always best to start slowly with any supplement or new food type so you can assess the effect on your body.

Conclusion

Glucomannan is a natural dietary fiber that, like other forms of fiber, is believed to have various potential health benefits. Its ability to absorb water can be helpful for reducing appetite, feeling fuller for longer and reducing calories. Although glucomannan usually only causes mild side effects, pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, or anyone with a medical condition such as diabetes should consult a doctor before starting any new eating plan.