Konjac glucomannan and its health-promoting effects
What it found
Konjac glucomannan is a fibre taken from konjac tubers that can lower glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure, and help with weight loss.
It also acts as a prebiotic and laxative, and may ease inflammation.
What they found
Studies in people and animals
Blood sugar and fats
Konjac glucomannan can reduce levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides.
Blood pressure and weight
It can also lower blood pressure and help with weight loss.
Chronic disease
Its wide-ranging effects may help prevent many chronic diseases by regulating metabolism.
Other health effects
Studies show it has anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, laxative, prebiotic and anti-inflammatory activities.
Other findings
Gut protection
Because it is sticky, it can form a protective covering on the surface of the intestine.
Other uses
Konjac glucomannan and its derivatives are also used in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering and fine chemicals.
What the authors conclude
- They say konjac glucomannan has health-promoting effects including anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, laxative, prebiotic and anti-inflammatory activities.
- They also note its practical applications in many fields.
How it was done
Over recent decades, purified konjac glucomannan has been sold as a food additive and dietary supplement in many countries, and foods containing konjac flour are popular in Asian and European markets. The authors wanted to review the recent studies on its health benefits and its practical uses.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of other studies, so it cannot prove that konjac glucomannan itself causes any of these effects.
- The review does not give details of how many people or animals were studied, or for how long.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, China; Pondicherry University, India
The paper
- Title
- Health-promoting effects of konjac glucomannan and its practical applications: A critical review
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Devaraj RD, Reddy CK, Xu B (2019). Health-promoting effects of konjac glucomannan and its practical applications: A critical review. International journal of biological macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.12.203PubMed 30586587DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error