01/27/2016 / By Michael Bundrant
Glucomannan, also called Konjac or Amorphophallus rivieri, is a soluble fiber with very beneficial properties.
It is estimated that our ancient ancestors ate up to twelve pounds of food daily, and there is no sign that they suffered from chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, and cancer at the same rate that modern humans have.
The critical difference between our ancient ancestors and ourselves comes down to the amount of fiber that they had in their diet. The average paleolithic human ate about 100 grams of fiber a day whereas the average American eats 4 grams.
Fibers are a type of carbohydrate and soluble fibers, like Glucomannan, are able to dissolve in water. They tend to form thick gels when placed in a liquid. Soluble fibers are also well received by our body’s good bacteria and these fibers promote the general well-being of these organisms responsible for helping us stay healthy.
The power of fibers is that it regulates the digestion process in our bodies. So, a little bit of fiber will slow the speed at which the food you ate enters your bloodstream. It also increases the pace at which that food will exit your body. This regulatory quality of fiber puts your body in balance because it gives you time to process the food completely.
The practical effect is that fiber prevents our cholesterol levels from spiking and our blood sugar from getting out of hand immediately after a meal.
This unique fiber takes the benefits of fiber and ratchets it up to a unique level. Glucomannan has been used in East Asian cultures for many centuries now. It is most popularly found in shirataki noodles.
It can take many forms, but is usually sold in ground or capsule form when it is being used as a supplement. When we consume Glucomannan, it absorbs water and expands.
This gives our body the sensation of being full and is actually responsible for much of the weight loss properties of this supplement. Not only will you feel satiated, but you won’t feel the need to eat for longer.
A study found that a group of obese adults who ate a gram of Glucomannan at least an hour before their meals lost five and a half pounds over the course of 8 weeks. This study did not ask them to change their eating or exercise patterns.
Source:
http://www.alive.com/health/glucomannan-for-weight-loss-results/
Tagged Under: dietary fiber, weight loss