Glucomannan
Chemical compound / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Glucomannan is a water-soluble polysaccharide that is considered a dietary fiber. It is a hemicellulose component in the cell walls of some plant species. Glucomannan is a food additive used as an emulsifier and thickener. It is a major source of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) found in nature, the other being galactomannan, which is insoluble.[1]
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IUPAC name
β(1→4)-d-gluco-d-mannoglycan | |
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Products containing glucomannan, under a variety of brand names, are marketed as dietary supplements with claims they can relieve constipation and help lower cholesterol levels.[2][3] Since 2010 they are legally marketed in Europe as helping with weight loss for people who are overweight and eating a diet with restricted calories,[3] but as of 2020[update] there was no good evidence that glucomannan helped weight loss.[4][5] Glucomannan lowers LDL cholesterol by 10 percent.[6]
Supplements containing glucomannans pose a risk for choking and bowel obstruction if they are not taken with sufficient water.[7] Other adverse effects include diarrhea, belching, and bloating; in one study people taking glucomannans had higher triglyceride levels.[8]
Glucomannans are also used to supplement animal feed for farmed animals, to cause the animals gain weight more quickly.