5 health benefits of Shirataki, magical food for health benefits page all
KOMPAS.com – Shirataki is a source of carbohydrates made from the root of the konjac plant (Amorphophallus konjac).
This food has recently become a popular intake among people on a carbohydrate and gluten diet.
Apart from that, Shirataki also has a neutral taste so it is easy to pair with side dishes or other food ingredients.
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In Japan, China, to Korea, shirataki has been used for thousands of years as an ingredient in noodles, rice, tofu, jelly, and traditional medicine.
Launch Verywell Fit, this food is known as miracle food. The reason is, Shirataki noodles or rice tend to be minimal in carbohydrates, fat and calories.
Apart from the nutrition, here are some of the benefits of Shirataki for health:
1. Increase fiber intake
Reporting from HealthlineOne of the features of Shirataki is the fiber content of glucomannan.
This fiber is a type of soluble fiber that is very thick and can absorb water and be converted into a gel.
Glucomannan is like magic foam, which can absorb water up to 50 times its original weight.
The viscous fiber glucomannan can act as a prebiotic. This substance can feed the good bacteria in the large intestine.
In the large intestine, the bacteria ferment fibers into short chain fatty acids.
Once fermented, these substances can help fight inflammation, boost the immune system, and provide other health benefits.
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2. Help lose weight
weight illustration One of the benefits of Shirataki is that it helps you lose weight.
The thick fiber in shirataki noodles or rice can delay the emptying of food in the stomach.
The impact, the stomach will be full longer and the appetite is not excessive.
In addition, the fiber in Shirataki can ferment the fiber into short chain fatty acids.
This process stimulates the release of intestinal hormones that code the body to feel full.
What’s more, eating the glucomannan contained in Shirataki can also reduce the hunger-controlling hormone ghrelin.
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3. Help lower blood sugar levels
Glucomaman has been shown to help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes and insulin resistance.
Because viscous fiber delays the emptying of food in the stomach, blood sugar and insulin levels rise gradually, as nutrients are absorbed in the blood.
A study has shown that type 2 diabetics who eat glucomannan experience a significant reduction in the blood sugar marker fructosamine.
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4. Can lower cholesterol
Cholesterol illustrationOther studies have shown that the glucomannan in Shirataki can help lower cholesterol levels.
The researchers note, glucomannan can increase the elimination of cholesterol through defecation.
That way, less cholesterol is absorbed into the bloodstream and cholesterol levels can be lower.
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5. Can overcome constipation
The fiber content of glucomannan in Shiratake can treat digestive disorders such as constipation.
Research shows that this fiber is effective against severe constipation in children who are given glucomannan.
For adults, glucomannan can increase the frequency of bowel movements to increase the number of good bacteria in the intestines.
To get the benefits of Shirataki for optimal health, experts recommend consuming natural Shirataki such as noodles and rice instead of in supplement form.
Consumption of Shirataki is generally safe. However, for people who are not used to eating fiber, the impact of the stomach can be bloating or trigger a bowel movement.
However, this condition is temporary and can go away on its own after the stomach gets used to it.
In addition, diabetics need to consult a doctor before eating shirataki noodles or rice.
The reason is, consuming these natural ingredients can affect diabetes treatment.
