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What is Konjac Root?

Erin Oxendine
Erin Oxendine

Konjac root is a type of plant that comes from the konjac tree in Asia. In Japan, the konjac root is referred to as devil’s tongue. In the United States, most people use a derivative of the konjac tree in pill form known as glucomannan. This root is also widely used in many countries for a variety of health issues ranging from obesity to colon issues.

Some of the reported health benefits from the konjac root include weight loss, lower blood sugar, and cholesterol. The way the root works is that the tubes from the plant contain an abundance of fiber, enabling it to soak up a lot of water in the body. The fiber expands in the stomach resulting in increased fullness, which may help a person eat less. In addition, this supplement may help cholesterol levels due to the fat absorption in the fiber.

Taking konjac root may help relieve constipation.
Taking konjac root may help relieve constipation.

The konjac root may also provide other health benefits since it is a natural laxative and can help rid the body of harmful waste and toxins. Most types of fiber form a mass in the body that is hard for individuals to digest. The fiber in the konjac plant bonds to certain substances such as fat and cholesterol, which helps to eliminate these from the body. This may also benefit conditions such as diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome.

Konjac root might be an effective supplement to treat obesity.
Konjac root might be an effective supplement to treat obesity.

There are different forms of the konjac root available for consumers. Some people prefer to use glucomannan as a natural supplement while others would rather use it in prepared foods such as konjac flour and shirataki noodles. Konjac root is also available in powder form as well as pills.

Several studies have been performed to determine if the root actually provides any health benefits. According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, scientists from Chung Shan Medical University reported that glucomannan helped blood lipid and glucose levels. In another study, the International Journal of Obesity reported that clinical trials showed konjac might be an effective supplement to treat obesity.

The fiber in konjac root may be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome.
The fiber in konjac root may be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome.

Consumers who decide to use konjac root for natural health should always consult with their doctor before taking any herbal supplements. While studies do seem positive, there may be side effects such as mild stomach discomfort or bloating. People who choose to take the pill form of konjac root will also need to take it with plenty of water to prevent the pill from swelling in the throat.

Discussion Comments

pleonasm

@browncoat - I quite like konjac noodles and you're right, they are very good for weight loss. They don't contain any calories which makes them superior to pasta any day.

But, you have to be careful not to treat them like they were made of ordinary flour.

For example, I often make up lots of soup and then freeze some of it to use later when I need a quick meal. I tried using shirataki noodles in this soup and it was fine when I first ate it.

But, when I defrosted the leftovers to eat, I discovered the noodles had shrunk into what seemed like bits of plastic shopping bags.

Luckily they were easy to pick out, but I wouldn't advise anyone to try freezing the konjac root noodles.

browncoat

I have eaten shirataki noodles which are made from the konjac fiber and I have to say that they are an acquired taste. People who say they can be a direct substitute for actual noodles or pasta are kidding themselves.

On the other hand, after a while I did get to like them for themselves. If you wash them really well, they don't have much flavor, so they just taste like whatever you cook them with.

I think if they weren't billed as a substitute for pasta, I would have liked them immediately. Just don't expect too much and you will probably like them too.

And they are wonderful for weight loss, so there is that.

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    • Taking konjac root may help relieve constipation.
      By: rob3000
      Taking konjac root may help relieve constipation.
    • Konjac root might be an effective supplement to treat obesity.
      By: olly
      Konjac root might be an effective supplement to treat obesity.
    • The fiber in konjac root may be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome.
      By: joshya
      The fiber in konjac root may be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome.
    • Konjac may help stabilize cholesterol levels.
      By: rob3000
      Konjac may help stabilize cholesterol levels.
    • A konjac root is a plant that comes from the konjac tree and offers several reported health benefits.
      By: amawasri
      A konjac root is a plant that comes from the konjac tree and offers several reported health benefits.
    • Konjac root is said to lower the body's glucose levels.
      By: Monkey Business
      Konjac root is said to lower the body's glucose levels.
    • Mild stomach discomfort can be a side effect of konjac root.
      By: 9nong
      Mild stomach discomfort can be a side effect of konjac root.
    • Konjac root can reportedly promote weight loss.
      By: Sergio Martínez
      Konjac root can reportedly promote weight loss.