The fitness world is buzzing with excitement over a health and weight loss supplement by the name of glucomannan.
But, aside from having a hard-to-spell name, most people don’t know too much about what the supplement really is.
I’m going to clear everything up for you today and tell you exactly what it is, how it works, how effective it is for weight loss, side effect, dosage, and we’ll also look at consumer glucomannan reviews and find out what the top 5 best glucomannan brands are.
Let’s dive in!
Other Names For Glucomannan
You might see glucomannan marketed by some companies as glucomannan extract, konjac root, or konjac root fiber.
This is because it is typically derived from the roots of the konjac plant, which occurs naturally in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.
PRODUCT
DETAILS
OUR RATING
NOW FoodsNOW Foods Glucomannan
- 575mg
- From Konjac Root
- Non-GMO
- GMP Certified
- Health Weight Management
- Supports Appetite Control
Our #1 Rated
Nova Nutritions Nova Nutritions Konjac Root
- 2000mg
- Promotes Feeling of Fullness
- Appetite Control
- Weight Management
- Veggie Capsules
Our #2 Rated
Skinny FiberSkinny Fiber Diet Pills
- 11000mg proprietary blend of Glucomannan Powder, Caralluma Fimbriata Powder & Cha De Bugre Powder
- Fat Burner & Appetite Suppressant
Our #3 Rated
|
OUR #1 RATED |
|---|
NOW FoodsGlucomannan |
|
OUR #2 RATED |
|---|
Nova NutritionsKonjac Root |
|
OUR #3 RATED |
|---|
Skinny FiberDiet Pills |
What Is Glucomannan?
Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber taken from the roots of konjac plant, also known as elephant yam.
Supplement companies extract the glucomannan and supply it in the form of powders, often contained in easy-to-swallow capsules. It has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine, which is the natural, herbal medicine of the East.
If you’re familiar with Ayurvedic medicine, you’ve likely already encountered wonderful supplements like ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea, and bacopa monnieri. If you’re a fan of those, you will likely be a fan of konjac root extract too.
Summary: Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber taken from the roots of konjac plant, also known as elephant yam.
Is It Safe?
It is considered safe but you should take a few precautions. Glucomannan is a water-soluble fiber that expands to up to 50 times its size when it comes into contact with water.
As such, there is a small risk of it expanding before it enters your stomach if you are not careful.
You really do not want it expanding in your throat because it can cause choking. You can prevent this from happening by ensuring that you take it with 1-2 glasses of water.
Does Glucomannan Work For Weight Loss?
People of the East have used konjac root for weight loss for centuries. The reason for its use, and now the use of the extracted glucomannan, is due to its water-soluble nature.
Incredible Water-Absorbing Ability
Glucomannan has an incredible water-absorbing ability. Why is this good? Well, a water-soluble dietary fiber as strong as glucomannan makes you feel much fuller after eating less food than normal because it takes much of the space in your stomach.
Feel Fuller for Longer
If you feel fuller after one small meal, you’re going to eat less at the next meal and throughout the day. It also delays how fast your stomach can empty, which also makes you feel fuller for longer.
Reduces Fat and Protein Absorption
In addition to this, glucomannan also reduces fat and protein absorption and also improves the health of the good bacteria in your gut (1, 2).
Studies have shown a correlation between weight loss and healthy gut bacteria (3).
It Works For Weight Loss
Glucomannan has been around for a while so there are plenty of scientific studies backing up its effectiveness.
Studies have consistently shown that regularly ingesting glucomannan before a meal improves weight loss more than not ingesting it (4, 5, 6).
It is particularly effective when paired with a weight loss diet, so it is important to ensure you are following one alongside using this. It will really help to accelerate your fat loss.
One study looked at 176 overweight people who were on a calorie restricted diet. They assigned half of participants to a placebo and the other half took glucomannan. 3 different glucomannan supplements were tested with varying dosages.
After 5 weeks, weight loss among those who weretaking glucomannan was significantly greater than those who took the placebo (7).
In addition to the scientific studies, there is also plenty of anecdotal evidence and glucomannan weight loss reviews from happy customers who have lost weight using the supplement.
Summary: When taken regularly before meals, glucomannan can lead to modest weight loss by instigating feelings of fullness and reducing calorie intake. It is even more effective when paired with a weigth loss diet.
Other Benefits of Glucomannan
Weight loss is glucomannan’s primary benefit. However, there are a few other reasons why one might wish to supplement their diet with it.
A systemic review of 14 studies (8) showed that it can:
- Lower total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol
- Improve blood sugar levels
- Lower risk of heart disease
- Lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes
It has also been shown as a good treatment for constipation (9).
Glucomannan Side Effects
Side effects include:
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
There is little cause of worry, however, because few people report these side effects.
Glucomannan Dosage
Remember, just like with many supplements aimed at helping you with weight loss, your optimal glucomannan dosage will vary depending on your weight, age, health condition, and weight loss goals.
Read The Label
Make sure you read the label on your supplement and consult with a doctor if you have any concerns or health conditions. You should also start out with the lowest effective dose and build it up only if your body reacts positively.
Recommended Dosage: 1g Taken Before Meals
The recommended dosage for weight loss is 1g taken before meals 3 times a day (10). It’s very important that you take it before eating because otherwise it will not have any effect on weight loss.
Anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour before a meal should be sufficient.
Summary: The recommended dose is 1g taken 3 times per day with water. Ideally you should take it 15min – 1 hour before eating. Make sure you have it before your meal, as it will have no effect otherwise.
Pros Of Glucomannan
- It’s cheap.
- There are many glucomannan reviews raving about how great the supplement is and how much it has helped them with weight loss.
- In addition to the appetite suppressing effects, it’s good to have a product that will help keep your cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check.
Cons Of Glucomannan
- While it may work for many people, there are also many people that report it not working. Of course, you must ensure that you follow a proper diet and exercise routine for weight loss but, even then, some reviews have reported glucomannan to be ineffective.
- It might take some experimentation with different glucomannan brands before you find the one that is right for you.
Top 5 Best Glucomannan Products
NOW Foods
NOW Foods 575mg Glucomannan
Price
Our Rating
- 575mg per serving
- Non-GMO
- GMP Certified
- Supports Weight Managed, Appetite Control & Cholesterol Levels
When I see that NOW Foods has a version of a popular supplement, they are almost always my first choice.
Their supplements are consistently high quality and they are a company you can trust.
Their extract, as expected, is one of the best on the market. I’m not the only one that thinks so either. If you take a look at some of the glucomannan weight loss reviews on Amazon, you’ll see that over half of the reviews rate this product as 4-star and above.
This is a pretty good rate when it comes to glucomannan because, as I mentioned above, you often need to experiment with this supplement to find the right one for you.
PROS – Cheap and effective product with many reviews confirming this.
CONS – Some people found it didn’t help them with their goals.
|
Our #1 Rated |
|---|
|
When I see that NOW Foods has a version of a popular supplement, they are almost always my first choice. Their supplements are consistently high quality and they are a company you can trust. Their extract, as expected, is one of the best on the market. I’m not the only one that thinks so either. If you take a look at some of the glucomannan weight loss reviews on Amazon, you’ll see that over half of the reviews rate this product as 4-star and above. This is a pretty good rate when it comes to glucomannan because, as I mentioned above, you often need to experiment with this supplement to find the right one for you. PROS – Cheap and effective product with many reviews confirming this. CONS – Some people found it didn’t help them with their goals. |
Nova Nutritions
Nova Nutritions Konjac Root
Price
Our Rating
- 2000mg
- Promotes Feeling of Fullness
- Appetite Control
- Weight Management
- Veggie Capsules
Remember that glucomannan also goes by the name of konjac root because that’s pretty much what it is.
Konjac root for weight loss is as good as glucomannan for weight loss because they are basically the same.
This supplement is natural and great for feeling full and keeping your blood sugar and cholesterol in check. Again, you might need to experiment to figure out what supplement is best for you.
If this supplement works for you, you’ll swear by it. If it doesn’t work for you, you’ll swear off it. The good news is that most people love this glucomannan, or konjac root, brand, with lots of 5 star reviews.
PROS – Gentle, safe and effective. Some people feel it helped immensely with cravings.
CONS – Didn’t work for everyone.
|
Our #2 Rated |
|---|
|
Nova NutritionsKonjac Root
Remember that glucomannan also goes by the name of konjac root because that’s pretty much what it is. Konjac root for weight loss is as good as glucomannan for weight loss because they are basically the same. This supplement is natural and great for feeling full and keeping your blood sugar and cholesterol in check. Again, you might need to experiment to figure out what supplement is best for you. If this supplement works for you, you’ll swear by it. If it doesn’t work for you, you’ll swear off it. The good news is that most people love this glucomannan, or konjac root, brand, with lots of 5 star reviews. PROS – Gentle, safe and effective. Some people feel it helped immensely with cravings. CONS – Didn’t work for everyone. |
Skinny Fiber
Skinny Fiber Diet Pills
Price
Our Rating
- 11000mg proprietary blend of Glucomannan Powder, Caralluma Fimbriata Powder & Cha De Bugre Powder
- Crallum Fimbriata helps with curbing your appetite and boost your metabolism.
- Includes digestive enzymes to prevent bloating and improve gut health for better weight management.
Despite the decidedly “home shopping network” look of this pill’s packaging, this is a great option.
Again, you’re either going to love or hate this brand.
This is another supplement that as a lot of positive reviews, however there are a selection of 1 star reviews worth checking out to see both ends of the experience scale.
You’ll see that these are the priciest option, around double the price of the two listed above, so make sure you check out the reviews to get a feel of whether this is the right one for you.
PROS – A proprietary blend that offers other things as well as glucomannan for an effective diet pill.
CONS – Not for everyone and pricier than glucomannan on its own.
|
Our #3 Rated |
|---|
|
Skinny FiberDiet Pills
Despite the decidedly “home shopping network” look of this pill’s packaging, this is a great option. Again, you’re either going to love or hate this brand. This is another supplement that as a lot of positive reviews, however there are a selection of 1 star reviews worth checking out to see both ends of the experience scale. You’ll see that these are the priciest option, around double the price of the two listed above, so make sure you check out the reviews to get a feel of whether this is the right one for you. PROS – A proprietary blend that offers other things as well as glucomannan for an effective diet pill. CONS – Not for everyone and pricier than glucomannan on its own. |
Best Naturals
Best Naturals Konjac Root Powder
Price
Our Rating
- 2000mg
- Supports appetite control
- Supports weight management
- cGMP Compliant
- Made in USA
This brand certainly isn’t for everybody but it’s definitely high quality.
It’s not for everybody because it comes in a powder form rather than in capsules.
It’s also about double the price of the other supplements but you get a pound of powder. I sometimes prefer the raw powder rather than swallowing down more capsules or pills.
I already take a bunch of capsules so it’s good to give my esophagus a rest. I like to mix it in smoothies or yogurt.
PROS – 2000mg and quality product that is made in the USA and cGMP certified.
CONS – Some customers found it not to be as effective as they would have liked.
|
Our #4 Rated |
|---|
|
Best NaturalsKonjac Root Powder
This brand certainly isn’t for everybody but it’s definitely high quality. It’s not for everybody because it comes in a powder form rather than in capsules. It’s also about double the price of the other supplements but you get a pound of powder. I sometimes prefer the raw powder rather than swallowing down more capsules or pills. I already take a bunch of capsules so it’s good to give my esophagus a rest. I like to mix it in smoothies or yogurt. PROS – 2000mg and quality product that is made in the USA and cGMP certified. CONS – Some customers found it not to be as effective as they would have liked. |
Nature’s Way
Nature’s Way Glucomannan Root
Price
Our Rating
- 665mg of glucomannan
- Msde in the USA
- Vegetarian capsules
- Non-GMO
If you’ve already tried all the great options listed above and you want another choice, I highly recommend Nature’s Way Glucomannan Root.
They are a great and ethical company and their konjac root is as solid as the rest of their supplements.
The reviews are less love/hate with this supplement too so you are more likely to find it effective.
PROS – Great priceand quality product made in the USA.
CONS – Not as effective as other products.
|
Our #5 Rated |
|---|
|
Nature’s WayGlucomannan Root
If you’ve already tried all the great options listed above and you want another choice, I highly recommend Nature’s Way Glucomannan Root. They are a great and ethical company and their konjac root is as solid as the rest of their supplements. The reviews are less love/hate with this supplement too so you are more likely to find it effective. PROS – Great price and quality product. CONS – Not as effective as other products. |
Should You Try It?
Looking at the evience, glucomannan is a great addition to the supplement stack of almost anyone looking to lose weight. But, as I always say, this supplement is not going to do the heavy lifting for you.
You still need to make sure that you are following a weight loss diet and exercising regularly. This will ensure you get the most out of supplementing too.
However, iIt really will help to make you feel more full so that should make it much easier for you to moderate how much food you eat. It’s up to you from there!
Product Images Sourced From Amazon.com
This is an extremely well written review. Thank you!