The popularity of konjac flour noodles is skyrocketing recently because rumours say it that konjac noodles are great for weight loss. Looking like rice noodles, konjac noodles or also known as shirataki noodles, are also white clear with a chewy texture when it is cooked. Konjac noodles are made of the root of the konjac plant generally growing in Japan, China, and some countries in the Southeast Asia. But is it true that this noodle is good for weight loss?
Nutrients Contained in Konjac Flour Noodles
As it is said before, the root of the konjac plant is the main ingredient of konjac noodles. Before being processed into noodles, the konjac plant root is processed into flour first. Then, manufacturers use it to make various foods, including konjac noodles. Overall, konjac noodles contain many fibers and water, with little fat, protein, and calories.
Shirataki noodles are also low-carb, making it helpful for preventing a blood sugar spike. The konjac plant root itself is high in glucomannan, which is a natural dietary fiber that can absorb large amounts of water. Konjac noodles consist of 97% water and 3% glucomannan, making this noodle so low in calories.
Facts About Konjac Flour Noodles for Weight Loss
Konjac noodles or shirataki noodles can be one choice of dishes to support your diet program for weight loss. It is because this type of noodle contains high fibers, making you feel full for longer time. As the result, your eating portion and frequency will be less, as shown by research in the journal of Obesity Review.
In addition, a study published by the journal of Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice also showed the same result. In fact, consuming food sources that contain glucomannan can help to lower the level of ghrelin hormones. The ghrelin hormone itself is a hormone responsible for sending hunger signals to the brain.
On the other hand, a study of the Journal of Obesity found the opposite. This 8-week study did not find any difference in weight loss even though participants consumed glucomannan, both in participants who are overweight and ones with ideal weights. So far, there are not yet special studies that literally discuss and show that konjac flour noodles are beneficial for weight loss.
Health Benefits of Konjac Noodles
Besides supporting diet programs, konjac noodles also offer other benefits for health. Here they are.
Decreasing Blood Sugar Levels
Shirataki noodles contain so little carbohydrates that are often forbidden for diabetics. Moreover, it also contains glucomannan that can help to slow down the digestion and absorption of carbs from other foods, preventing an increase in blood sugar levels. This is proven by a study on patients with diabetes type 2 who consumed glucomannan for 3 weeks. As the result, the blood sugar level of the participants decreased.
Lowering Cholesterol Levels
Glucomannan can increase the disposal of cholesterol through feces so that less cholesterol will be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Some studies stated that glucomannan in konjac flour noodles can lower the level of LDL averagely by as much as 16 mg/dL.
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