What are the effects and contraindications of konjac

Currently, konjac food is very popular. Many people call it magic food. Konjac tastes good and has a fresh flavor. It is suitable for everyone to eat. Konjac is easy to cook and can be combined with many ingredients to make delicious dishes. Because konjac foods are low in calories, many people who want to lose weight particularly like to eat konjac.

The efficacy of konjac

1. Detoxification and laxative

Konjac is cold in nature and can promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, detoxify and reduce swelling, and relax the intestines and promote bowel movements. The dietary fiber in konjac can promote gastrointestinal motility, remove fat accumulation in the intestines, excrete toxic substances from the body, moisturize the intestines and promote bowel movements, detoxify and cleanse the stomach.

2. Reduce blood lipids and blood sugar

The glucomannan in konjac can prevent the body from digesting and absorbing cholesterol, thus playing a good role in lowering blood lipids; and the large amount of water-soluble fiber contained in konjac can absorb carbohydrates when entering the stomach and directly enter the small intestine, inhibiting the absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine, effectively lowering postprandial blood sugar, thereby reducing the burden on the pancreas, and putting the sugar metabolism of diabetic patients in a virtuous cycle, keeping blood sugar levels within a certain range.

3. Anti-cancer and cancer prevention

Konjac is known as the "anti-cancer magic coat". It contains a gel-like chemical substance that has magical powers to fight and prevent cancer. After entering the human body, this gel substance can form a translucent magic coat, adhere to the intestinal wall, block various harmful substances, and play an anti-cancer and cancer prevention role.

4. Freshness preservation and anti-bacteria

Konjac contains a natural antibiotic. When konjac flour is combined with other raw materials, it can form an antibacterial film on the surface of food, preventing bacterial contamination, extending the storage time, and playing a role in preserving freshness and preventing bacteria.

5. Lowers Cholesterol

Konjac glucomannan can effectively inhibit the small intestine's absorption of fat-decomposing substances such as cholesterol and bile acid, promote the excretion of fat, reduce the total amount of triglycerides and cholesterol in serum, prevent arteriosclerosis, and prevent and treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

6. Promote blood circulation and relieve pain

Konjac has a warming effect, is pungent and warm in nature, and can promote blood circulation and prevent swelling. In ancient folk remedies, konjac was made into a material for insulating cloth to treat stomachaches and shoulder pains. Wrap the steamed konjac in a towel and place it on the affected area to relieve pain.

Taboos on eating konjac

Konjac is cold in nature, so people with typhoid fever, colds, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal discomfort should not eat it in excess. Konjac is an allergenic food, so people with skin diseases such as rashes and itchy skin should eat less. Konjac is poisonous and cannot be eaten raw. It needs to be ground and cooked for more than 3 hours before it can be eaten.

Konjac and taro are not the same thing

. Because the whole plant of konjac is poisonous, especially the tuber, it cannot be eaten directly. It must first go through processing such as grinding, steaming, and rinsing to detoxify it. Its processed products can be purchased from supermarkets.