You’re looking to lose weight, and you’ve heard that konjac root may be able to help. But what is konjac root? How can it help you lose weight?
Konjac root is a type of dietary fiber that comes from the konjac plant. It’s often used as a natural weight-loss supplement.
Konjac root is low in calories and high in fiber, which can help you lose weight by making you feel fuller for longer. It may also help to regulate blood sugar levels and decrease cholesterol.
You can try adding konjac root to your diet by taking a dietary supplement or powder form or by eating konjac root noodles. Konjac root is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different recipes, so you’re sure to find a way to incorporate it into the diet that works for you.
Do Konjac Supplements Work for Weight Loss?
Konjac root is a type of dietary fiber that comes from the konjac plant. It’s often used as a natural weight-loss supplement. Konjac root is low in calories and high in fiber, which can help you lose weight by making you feel fuller for longer [1].
It may also help to regulate blood sugar levels and decrease cholesterol through short-chain fatty acids. If you want to lose weight, konjac root may be a helpful fiber supplement to add to your diet.
Expert Tip: Taking 1 gram of konjac glucomannan 3 times a day can help with weight loss, helping you to maintain your weight or shed a few pounds.
Konjac root is a good source of glucomannan for weight loss. You can find konjac root supplements in many health food stores or online (do your research to make sure you’re getting a quality product).
This soluble dietary fiber can do a lot more, though, and other health benefits link nicely with working on your body weight.
Using Konjac for Constipation
Konjac root can also help with constipation. The high fiber content in konjac root helps to add bulk to stools, making them easier to pass. Konjac root is available as a supplement or in food form.
Expert Tip: If you’re using konjac root for constipation, aim for 2-4 grams per day.
Using Konjac for Cholesterol
Konjac root may help to lower cholesterol levels. This is due to the konjac plant’s ability to bind with bile acids [2]. Bile acids are responsible for breaking down fats in the digestive system.
When konjac root binds with bile acids, it prevents them from reabsorbing into the body. This can help to reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
Konjac root is available in supplement form or as dietary fiber. Konjac fiber is often added to food products such as pasta and rice.
Using Konjac for Skin Health
Konjac supplements may also be beneficial for skin health. Konjac root powder can be used as a facial scrub. The exfoliating properties of konjac root powder helps to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and oil from the skin. This can help to improve the appearance of acne and other skin conditions.
Expert Tip: To use konjac root powder as a facial scrub, mix it with water to form a paste. Apply the paste to your face and massage it for 1-2 minutes. Rinse your face with warm water and pat dry.
What is Konjac?
Konjac originates in Asia, and it is a root vegetable that is known for its starchy corn. The konjac plant grows in tropical and subtropical climates. Konjac has been used for centuries in Asia for its medicinal properties (such as treating constipation and skin conditions).
The konjac root is high in fiber and low in calories. It is a good source of glucomannan, a type of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber can help with weight loss by making you feel full and helping to regulate blood sugar levels. Konjac root is available as dietary supplements or as konjac fiber.
Expert Tip: Konjac root is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different recipes. Try using konjac noodles in place of pasta or rice, or use konjac flour to make low-carbohydrate pancakes.
How to Prepare Konjac
Konjac root is available in several forms, including powder, supplements, and konjac fiber. Konjac fiber is often added to food products such as pasta and rice.
Mix 1 teaspoon of powder with 2 tablespoons of water to prepare konjac root powder. Apply the mixture to the face and massage it into the skin in a circular motion. Rinse the konjac root powder off with warm water.
To take konjac root supplements, follow the instructions on the package. Konjac root supplements are typically taken 1-3 times per day.
Expert Tip: It is important to drink plenty of water when taking konjac root supplements.
The Risks of Using Konjac Root
Konjac root is generally considered safe. However, konjac root can cause side effects, such as:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
Konjac root can also interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners and diabetes medication. Speaking with a doctor before taking konjac root or other supplements is important.
It should also be noted that some deaths by choking have been caused by konjac candies in children and adults [3]. Furthermore, konjac runs the risk of expanding in your esophagus or bowel, resulting in an obstruction.
You are at a higher risk of this if you:
- Take konjac tablets regularly
- Don’t drink water with your konjac tablets
- Have problems swallowing
- Are elderly
What About Other Reactions?
Some countries have actually banned konjac because of the risk of obstruction. Additionally, there is the risk of an allergic reaction. If you notice any of the following symptoms after taking konjac, seek medical attention immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Hives or rashes
- Itchy skin
- Increased heart rate
- Swelling anywhere on the body
Research Results of Konjac for Weight Loss
Konjac root is a type of dietary fiber that comes from the konjac plant. It’s often used as a natural weight-loss supplement.
Konjac root is low in calories and high in fiber, which can help you lose weight by making you feel fuller for longer. It may also help to regulate blood sugar levels and decrease cholesterol.
Konjac root is generally safe but can cause side effects like bloating, gas, and diarrhea. It can also interact with certain medications. Konjac root supplements are typically taken 1-3 times per day.
If you’re considering taking konjac root for weight loss, speak with your doctor first to ensure it’s safe for you.
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