Konjac is popular among people dieting. The Korean Society for the Study of Obesity has listed konjac as one of the freely eatable foods for weight control. What effect does konjac have on our body?

 

Konjac is a food with very low calories, approximately 10 kcal per 100g. The main component of konjac is a dietary fiber called 'glucomannan.' Glucomannan dissolves into a sticky substance in the intestines and adheres to food, delaying the absorption of carbohydrates in the body. When absorbed slowly, blood sugar levels rise gradually. If blood sugar rises slowly, the sugar is effectively used as energy by insulin,

 

The excess sugar is less likely to be stored in the body. Additionally, 97.3% of konjac is composed of water. It's similar to drinking water. Just as drinking a lot of water makes your stomach feel full and makes it difficult to eat other foods, eating konjac increases satiety and helps with dieting.

However, many people feel bloated after eating konjac. This is because glucomannan, being dietary fiber, is not broken down into glucose and is difficult to digest. When konjac passes into the intestines undigested, it ferments due to intestinal microbes, promoting gas production and causing abdominal pain. In fact, the U.S. National Institutes of Health warns that after consuming konjac, symptoms such as bloating, stomach rumbling, and mild diarrhea may occur. These are especially common in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome. If you experience discomfort such as gas after eating konjac, you should adjust your intake or avoid it altogether.

 

Eating only konjac as a picky eater is not good. According to the Rural Development Administration, 100g of "noodle-type konjac" contains ▲96.5g of water ▲0.2g of protein ▲3g of carbohydrates ▲2.9g of dietary fiber ▲0.075g of potassium ▲0.012g of potassium ▲0.01g of sodium ▲0.01g of phosphorus. The "block-type konjac" shaped like a square tofu, 100g, contains ▲96.7g of water ▲0.12g of protein ▲0.01g of lipids ▲3.06g of carbohydrates ▲2.4g of dietary fiber ▲0.024g of amino acids ▲0.067g of calcium ▲0.013g of potassium ▲0.002g of sodium ▲0.003g of phosphorus. Konjac contains almost no essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, as well as trace nutrients like vitamins and minerals.

 

However, replacing every meal with konjac may pose a risk of nutritional imbalance. If you eat konjac for one meal, you should have a balanced meal for the other meals to adequately intake the lacking nutrients and maintain a healthy diet.

 

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I tried to cook rice with konjac rice about two years ago.

I bought a box, but the konjac rice has already been soaked.

They are sealed individually and delivered.

 

I don't think I can digest it.

I just have a memory of throwing it away.