Glucomannan in holistic nutrition

Glucomannan is one of the most important supplements in weight loss. In fact, for many nutritionists, it is the only one that has proven its effectiveness over time. Before including glucomannan in your diet, it is important to discuss several key issues.

Below, we will review the fundamental aspects that characterize this supplement, its functionality, method of use and recommendations. Its characteristics are so particular that today we cannot define glucomannan as either a food or a medicine. It is essential to understand the purpose of its consumption before considering it as a food supplement.

What is glucomannan?

Glucomannan is defined as a food supplement because of its characteristics as a highly hydrating fiber. Being highly hydrating means that, when water is added to it, its volume increases considerably. As a fiber, it is not digested and does not contribute nutrients, since it does not react with enzymes.

Because of these characteristics, glucomannan is used in the preparation of pastas that provide less than a tenth of the calories of a traditional pasta. It is also available as a supplement in tablet form, to be taken half an hour before meals with water.

Why is it consumed?

Glucomannan does not provide any nutritional value. The reason for its consumption is that, since it occupies such a high volume without providing calories, it can be a good supplement to satiate the appetite. It is also associated with reducing constipation and other effects related to digestion. However, these are normal effects of fiber intake. What really makes glucomannan special is its effectiveness in controlling appetite.

Risks of its consumption

Glucomannan may not be as harmless as it seems. Its high capacity to absorb water can be dangerous; in fact, in some preparation modalities, its consumption is prohibited for children due to the risk of choking when swollen with water.

In addition, glucomannan can reduce the absorption of nutrients from other foods by limiting their breakdown and dragging them through the digestive tract. This also affects vitamins and fat-soluble foods, so it is important to adjust your diet before adding it as a supplement.

Benefits

In addition to its ability to satiate appetite, glucomannan offers other benefits associated with its consumptio