Typical dose
As a dietary supplement: 1-3 grams, taken with 1...
Oral
Oral safety: low
About this supplement
Konjac flour is a fine, white to off-white powder derived from the tuberous root (corm) of the konjac plant (Amorphophallus konjac). It is composed primarily of glucomannan, a high-molecular-weight, water-soluble, viscous dietary fiber polysaccharide consisting of β-1,4-linked D-mannose and D-glucose units. When mixed with water, it absorbs up to 200 times its weight, forming a highly viscous, gelatinous, and cohesive substance with unique rheological properties. It is indigestible by human enzymes and functions as a soluble dietary fiber. It is widely used as a dietary supplement for weight management, digestive health, and cholesterol control, and as a functional food additive (thickener, gelling agent, stabilizer, and emulsifier). In beauty and personal care products, it is valued as a texture enhancer, film-forming agent, and moisturizer, providing a smooth, silky feel.
How much to take
- Typical amount
- As a dietary supplement: 1-3 grams, taken with 1-2 glasses of water, 30-60 minutes before meals, up to three times daily. In food applications, usage levels vary (typically 0.1-1% as a thickener). Topical use in cosmetics is typically at low concentrations (0.1-2%).
- Suggested range
- 1-3 g per dose, up to 9 g daily (oral)
Potential benefits
Benefits linked to this supplement form:
Things to watch for
Possible side effects linked to this form:
Health goals
Needs and goals this form may help with:
Other forms of Glucomannan
Compare absorption and active amounts with sibling forms:
Technical details â–¼
Chemical ID (CAS)
37220-17-0
Physical properties
Fine, white to off-white, odorless powder. Highly hygroscopic. Forms a high-viscosity, non-gelling, cohesive gel or sol when dispersed in cold or hot water. Soluble in water, insoluble in organic solvents. Viscosity is pH-dependent and can be reduced by prolonged heating in acidic conditions.
How it’s made
Produced by washing, slicing, and drying the konjac corm (tuber). The dried chips are then milled into a coarse flour. Further purification involves washing with water and ethanol to remove impurities (like starch and alkaloids), followed by drying and fine milling to produce a refined, high-purity glucomannan powder. Some processes use aqueous extraction and alcohol precipitation.