Konjac is an herbaceous perennial plant grown in Asian countries. It is originated in Southeast Asia with Latin name as Amorphophallus, or also often known as konjaku, elephant yam, devil’s tongue, snake palm, and voodoo lily. It is known for its starchy corm, a tuber-like part of the stem which grows underground. This part is then processed into glucomannan, a rich source of water-soluble dietary fibre.
Konjac has been used as traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine and as food in the form of noodles or snacks. Products of konjac are considered as one of the top 10 health foods by World Health Organisation⁹⁻¹³. It has been largely consumed for its health benefits on lowering plasma cholesterol, improving carbohydrate metabolism and bowel movements, it is also used as food additive and dietary supplement.
Studies shown that glucomannan may provide relief in constipation through the improvement of probiotic bacteria counts in faeces (colonicecology) after daily supplementation of 1.5g of konjac glucomannan for 21 days. Bowel movement function was increased by 30%¹. The mean defecation frequency and dry faecal mass increased due to the presence of plant and soluble materials from supplementation of konjac glucomannan⁷.
In a randomised placebo-controlled study, adding a glucomannan fiber supplement to a balanced, 1200-calorie diet had significantly induced more weight reduction than the same calorie-controlled diet with a placebo during a 5-week observation period². Glucomannan is believed to prolong gastric emptying time which promotes satiety.
Konjac has been reported to help in lowering total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides³. Another study shown significant improvement in glycaemic level, blood lipid profile and systolic blood pressure with an 8-week treatment of 0.7g konjac daily in high-risk diabetic individuals⁶. It could be used an adjuvant therapy for people with type-II diabetes and high cholesterol.
Daily consumption of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates was shown to enhance capacity to bind pathogens and prevent this from binding the gut’s lining, stimulating topical healing, regulating immunity and ability to form systemic immune responses among healthy people with IBD and associated gut conditions. It is function as soluble dietary fibre as well as prebiotic⁸.
Konjac is generally well-tolerated. However, digestive problems including bloating, diarrhea or loose stools, abdominal pain, flatulence, and nausea may occur, and these are common after taking any high fiber food.
Konjac is normally added to foods as a thickening agent and dietary fiber source. Typical doses used as treatment by adults is ranging from 3g to 4g daily for up to 3 months.
Konjac is generally well-tolerated. However, digestive problems including bloating, diarrhea or loose stools, abdominal pain, flatulence, and nausea may occur, and these are common after taking any high fiber food.
Konjac is normally added to foods as a thickening agent and dietary fiber source. Typical doses used as treatment by adults is ranging from 3g to 4g daily for up to 3 months.
The material is prepared for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a piece of personal medical advice. Owing to each person’s varying health needs, a physician should be consulted before acting on any information provided in this material. Although every effort is made to ensure that this material is accurate, it is compiled for internal use only and should not be considered definitive. Neither VitaHealth nor its employees, or information providers shall be responsible or liable for any errors, inaccuracies, or other defects in the information contained in this publication.
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