LET'S GET TO KNOW KONJAK

We all know that a balanced diet and daily exercise contribute to protecting our health, our mental and physical well-being, and maintaining our normal weight. Pasta and rice are considered " forbidden foods ", as they contain a lot of carbohydrates and those who face health issues or want to lose weight avoid consuming them frequently. And yet there are options to enjoy them often, and even lose weight by consuming them! Konjac noodles or calorie-free noodles or shirataki which in Japanese means "white waterfall" are made from konjac, a type of potato-like root and are considered a complete food rich in fiber . Konjac is mainly found in Southeast Asia. It has been used for hundreds of years in herbal mixtures, but also in traditional foods such as noodles, tofu and jelly. Its use has spread as a dietary supplement, as an ingredient in pasta (e.g. konjac spaghetti), rice, flour and as a food additive. This root is a very good source of the beneficial glucomannan, a polysaccharide ( water-soluble plant fiber ) that has been used as a medicine for centuries by traditional Chinese medicine, as China is the largest producer of glucomannan. The Chinese have used glucomannan for more than 2,000 years to treat conditions such as asthma, cough, hernia, chest pain, burns, blood and skin problems. Glucomannan, due to its structure, creates a pleasant feeling of satiety, as it has the property of absorbing an amount of water almost 100-200 times more than its weight. It contributes to weight loss, only when taken with at least 250 ml of water 35-45 minutes before a meal. After being consumed, glucomannan comes into contact with stomach fluids, creating a bulky mass in the form of a gel, which occupies a large part of the stomach. This way you do not feel the need to consume extra calories and you stay full for more hours. According to studies, glucomannan can: Reduce total cholesterol To reduce LDL Reduce triglycerides Reduce fasting blood sugar levels, as it reduces insulin resistance and helps to better manage type 2 diabetes To help treat constipation, as vegetable fiber is considered a natural laxative To help strengthen the intestinal microbiome, as it is considered food for friendly bacteria in the gut To be a complementary factor in the treatment of hyperthyroidism Reduce fat absorption Glucomannan is generally considered safe, but because there are still not enough studies, it is recommended to avoid it during pregnancy and lactation. Some mild side effects of taking it are: bloating, flatulence, loose stools, or diarrhea it can also reduce the absorption of some oral medications such as sulfonylureas, which are antidiabetic medications Organic Konjac pasta and rice are therefore an ideal alternative to regular pasta and traditional rice, which contain only 9 calories per 100 gram serving! They create the feeling of satiety for a long time They do not contain gluten. They do not contain wheat. They do not contain carbohydrates They do not contain sugar. They have no fat High in fiber With a low glycemic index Suitable for diabetics Suitable for vegetarians and vegans The surefire way to lose weight long-term and keep it off is to make a permanent change to your diet. Glucomannan can help you lose weight more easily, but it doesn't work wonders on its own, only as a supplement as part of a healthy lifestyle ! Sources http://www.mydiatrofi.gr Atli Arnarson (2023). Glucomannan — Is It an Effective Weight Loss Supplement? https://www.healthline.com/ Yimeng Fang et al. (2023). Konjac Glucomannan: An Emerging Specialty Medical Food to Aid in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ Ho Hoang Vi Thanh et al. (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of the effect of konjac glucomannan, a viscous soluble fiber, on LDL cholesterol and the new lipid targets non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B https://www.sciencedirect.com/ WebMD- Glucomannan – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/

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