glucomannan
Sign in to saveGlucomannan 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.
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Chemistry
- Biological function
- Natural sources
- Uses
- Human food additive
- Human dietary supplement
- Health risks
- Consumer issues
- Dietary supplements for animals
- References
- External links
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.
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. 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, but there was no good evidence that glucomannan helped weight loss. Glucomannan may lower LDL cholesterol by up to 10 percent, according to one meta-study.