avatarMelanie Rockett

Summary

Glucomannan is a soluble fiber derived from the Konjac root, which has various health benefits including aiding in weight loss and controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Abstract

The article discusses the natural soluble fiber known as glucomannan, which is extracted from the Konjac root. This fiber contains no sugar, starch, protein, or fat and has been traditionally used in Asia for medicinal and culinary purposes. Glucomannan is highly viscous and is effective in managing blood sugar levels in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. It is also increasingly popular in North America for its dietary supplementation properties and its ability to control blood sugar surges. The article provides insights into how glucomannan can be incorporated into meals, its role in weight management, and its benefits for digestive health. Additionally, the article warns against ingesting glucomannan in its powder form directly and recommends mixing it with a cold liquid before adding it to hot foods to prevent clumping. Glucomannan also reduces cholesterol and can be used as a thickener in various recipes, including those for smoothies, soups, and sugar-free puddings. Nutritional information for glucomannan is provided, along with guidance on where to purchase it and how to use it to make low-carb products like konjac noodles and rice, which are beneficial for those on a ketogenic or low-carb diabetic diet.

Opinions

  • The author, a diabetic, strongly recommends glucomannan for its remarkable impact on blood sugar control and suggests that it is more effective and economical than capsule forms or expensive diet aids like PGX.
  • They emphasize the importance of consuming glucomannan with adequate water to ensure proper bulking and to prevent potential blockages.
  • The author shares personal experience and preference for Amazon as an online source for purchasing glucomannan due to its availability and potential cost savings, especially in bulk quantities.
  • They express enthusiasm for konjac-based low-carb products such as noodles and rice, describing them as a "Diabetic Rescue miracle" for satisfying cravings without spiking blood sugar levels.
  • The author provides a caution about the potential risks of glucomannan powder, advising that it should not be stored where children or pets can access it.
original image sugar-free-zone.com

The Miracle Fiber That Will Help You Lose Weight and Maintain Good Blood Sugar Levels

Glucomannan powder is a soluble fiber with no sugar no starch, no protein and no fat.

It is made from the Konjac root, which has been grown for thousands of years in Asia and has been used for food and medicinal purposes in Japan and China for almost as long.

Most photos of the Konjac root show you a gnarly brown tuber … but by looking at it you have NO idea of size … here’s a photo that gives you some perspective!

Image Source

Research shows that the higher the viscosity of soluble fiber, the better the control of blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Glucomanann is one of the most viscous soluble fibers in nature.

Glucomanann has recently become very popular in North America and is used as a diet supplement and as a way to control blood sugar levels in Diabetics.

I am Diabetic and have found that daily use of glucomannan makes a BIG difference in my blood sugar levels. At one point I ran out and my blood sugar readings almost immediately shot up. The difference is remarkable and I now make sure I always have a supply on hand.

Glucomannan is often used in cooking as a starch like thickener. It is ten times more powerful than cornstarch and far healthier because it doesn’t have calories, sugar or digestible carbs. Glucomannan is also used in baking, as a thickener and binder, especially in recipes that have no gluten.

Because it is so powerful, you can’t add glucomannan directly to hot foods or sauces you want to thicken because it will cause a awful lumpy mess.

You need to mix it with a COLD liquid first (water, stock, wine, sauce mix such as teryakki). I found the best way to do this is to have my cold liquid in a cup (1/2 a cup is good) and sprinkle a bit of glucomannen on top, stir it in and then sprinkle some more until you have a lump free mixture. Then slowly pour the liquid into your sauce, soup, stew or whatever you are thickening. It is much easier to sprinkle evenly if you put the glucomannan in a salt shaker.

Using Glucomannan To Control Blood Sugar Levels

As I mentioned above, I use glucomannan to control my blood sugar.

Here’s how:

If I am in a hurry and just before a meal that contains carbs, I mix about a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon into a cup of water and chug-a-lug it 15 to 30 minutes before I eat. It is tasteless.

If I didn’t plan ahead, I just go ahead and chug-a-lug the water-glucomannan mixture just before I eat. It doesn’t have the same hunger reducing effect, but it helps control blood sugar surges.

I normally eat one meal a day, with a snack a few hours later. IF I am hungry and eat a snack that contains carbs, I’ll add 1/2 a teaspoon to the glass of water. It is VERY important to have at least one 8-ounce glass of liquid with the glucomannan. It will rapidly bulk up and you NEED the liquid.

NEVER ingest Glucomannan as a powder.

Do NOT store where children or pets can get into the powder.

My snack is often a smoothie … just mix in a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon before you buzz your blender or Ninja.

From time to time I have a chocolate-sugar craving, so I make chocolate pudding, using Stevia for sweetness, and glucomannan as the pudding thickener.

I often add 1/4 teaspoon of glucomannan to a soup bullion or soup slurry.

Health Benefits of Glucomannan (Konjack Powder)

  • Lose and Manage Weight — Glucomannan fills your stomach and rapidly slows down the digestion process. If you have it 15 to 30 minutes before a meal, you will eat less food. NOTE: You may be interested to know that glucomannan is one of the main ingredients of the PGX diet supplement. PGX is most often sold in pill form and ends up being a very expensive diet aid.
  • Helps control blood sugar levels for Diabetics — In addition to slowing down the digestion process, glucomannan blocks and binds the absorption of sugars and carbohydrates from other foods in your meal.
  • Reduces Cholesterol — Glucomannan reduces the absorption of lipids such as LDL (bad cholesterol).
  • Improves Digestive Health — Glucomannan is a super fiber. It is like a rotor rooter in your intestines and will regulate bowel movements. HOWEVER you need to work up to a full daily dose (one to two teaspoons) SLOWLY over a week or more depending on how your body is reacting.

Nutrition Facts: Per 1 g: (1/4 teaspoon)

Calories 2, Fat 0 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 0 mg, Potassium 0 mg, Carbohydrate 1 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 0 g, Sugar Alcohol 0 g, Protein 0 g

Where To Purchase Glucomannan

I combed all the health food stores in my area … and called a dozen more. In a city of 1.5 million people, I found Glucomannan once — in the form of capsules. Capsules are a NO go. Not only are the ridiculously expensive, you need the lose powder to make any of the THM baking blend recipes. Getting the lose powder is much more economical than using diet pills.

My go to online product store is Amazon (and YES, I am an Amazon affiliate). If you know of any great online stores with better prices and free shipping please let us all know.

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/2RVFtvC

The following bulk quantities offer significant savings if you purchase 1 kg or more. They offer quantities of 5Kg and 25 kg. I do quite a bit of baking and also use this as a daily supplement because it really helps keep my blood sugar levels down. I take 1/2 tsp mixed in water 30 minutes before meals. For ME the difference was remarkable and I would not do without it.

You can also make your own konjac noodles … so depending on what you plan on making order in quantities that will last for a month or more.

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/2GpKeMo

Even MORE Good News — Diabetic Rescue miracle!

Konjac is used extensively in Japan, as a vegetable and to create numerous products including glucomannan powder as well as a variety of carb friendly products. They have perfected making Konjac Noodles and Konjac Rice, both of which are extremely low carb and which are perfect if you are on a Keto Diet or Low Carb Diabetic Diet.

As a Diabetic I have avoided both of these foods for years and let me tell you about the cravings!! Now I can have my cake AND noodles AND rice and still maintain low blood sugar readings. What a blessing, talk about a Diabetic Rescue miracle!

If you found this article to be of interest, be sure to check out the following articles:

Health
Weight Loss
Food
Diet
Wellness
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