Even should you’ve by no means heard of konjac, you’re most likely acquainted with merchandise comprised of this herb.
Konjac is used to make shirataki noodles, a pasta various you’ve probably seen on the cabinets of native well being markets.
However there’s a brand new konjac product getting into the market: a sippable jelly. Some manufacturers declare this fiber-filled jelly helps cut back starvation — however does it really work? How wholesome is konjac jelly?
Right here’s what you have to know.
What Is Konjac?
“Konjac is an herb that’s native to sure components of Asia, the place it has been used for fairly a while in conventional Chinese language medication,” explains Dana E. Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, a senior dietitian at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Middle and writer of the upcoming ebook Recipe for Survival.
Generally known as voodoo lily, snake palm, or elephant yam, this plant “is understood for its starchy properties and as a supply of soluble dietary fiber,” Hunnes provides.
Konjac could also be used as a thickener in sauce and soup recipes.
Glucomannan, a polysaccharide extracted from konjac, may be used as a prebiotic complement to feed wholesome intestine micro organism and assist to advertise regularity.
Hunnes explains that it’s largely the plant’s corm — the half that grows underground — that’s used to make these merchandise.
What Is Konjac Jelly?
Because of its fiber and starch content material, the corm of the konjac plant additionally works as a gelatin substitute — and that’s how konjac jelly is made.
Konjac jelly merchandise use water and konjac powder to create a gelatinous goo.
Firms then add flavoring and sugar substitutes to create a gelatin-like snack that delivers fiber and minimal energy.
Is Konjac Secure To Eat?
“There are specific recognized dangers to konjac,” Hunnes says.
Gel candies made with konjac have been linked to choking deaths as a result of they don’t dissolve as simply as different gel candies or gelatin snacks.
It’s additionally doable that konjac “might develop within the esophagus or the bowel,” resulting in medical issues, Hunnes provides. The European Union and Australia have banned konjac jelly over these issues.
What Are the Advantages of Konjac?
Konjac might assist help wholesome levels of cholesterol, “equally to how soluble fiber in oats may,” Hunnes says. A research discovered that the fiber in konjac may assist deal with constipation, although that research solely checked out seven individuals.
However what about konjac jelly?
Whereas fiber consumption has been related to decrease physique weight, that doesn’t essentially imply konjac jelly will assist you slim down.
A research of 53 chubby and reasonably overweight individuals discovered that the glucomannan in konjac had no important impact on weight reduction.
It’s additionally value noting that many konjac jelly merchandise at the moment available on the market comprise little to no fiber.
They’re primarily simply sweetened treats — not a fiber-filled snack. For those who’re seeking to get the advantages of dietary fiber, attain for certainly one of these high-fiber meals as a substitute.
For those who’re hesitant to eat this herb, there’s a non-edible technique to get in on the konjac pattern: It’s used to make facial sponges.
What Are the Greatest Manufacturers of Konjac Jelly?
First issues first: Hunnes suggests you learn any directions and warnings earlier than deciding whether or not or to not eat konjac jelly.
Understand that konjac jelly gained’t soften in your mouth like flavored gelatin and should require chewing.
For those who nonetheless wish to give this pattern a attempt, you should definitely learn the diet labels carefully.
Whereas the konjac plant is touted for its fiber content material, many common konjac jelly manufacturers don’t really comprise a major quantity of dietary fiber.
Konjac jelly gives chewy texture and sweetness, however not a lot else — and lots of are loaded with synthetic sugars and sugar alcohols.
Listed below are just a few of the most well-liked manufacturers, however you’re most likely higher off satisfying your snack cravings with lower-calorie snacks that present extra vitamins, together with fiber.
EVERYDAZE Konjac Jelly
This model presents a variety of flavors, from peach to cola, together with added vitamin C and collagen.
However whereas the label says “zero sugar,” have in mind it comprises erythritol (a sugar alcohol) and sucralose (a sugar substitute).
Jayone Drinkable Konjac Jelly
These six-calorie jelly pouches can be found in grape, mango, or peach — however they’re sweetened with 12 grams of erythritol, they usually comprise zero grams of fiber.
Jelly.B Drinkable Konjac Jelly
