Glucomannan and diabetes, cholesterol control:
A meta-analysis of 14 studies (n=531) found that glucomannan, a water-soluble dietary fiber that is derived from the konjac root, has a beneficial affect on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, body weight, and fasting blood glucose (FBG). Dosage used was a range of 1.2 to 15.1 grams per day. However, HDL cholesterol or blood pressure (BP) were unaffected by glucomannan. The average benefit, taking all study results into account, associated with glucomannan include decreases in total cholesterol by -19.28 mg/dL, in LDL cholesterol by -15.99 mg/dL, in triglycerides by -11.08 mg/dL, in body weight by – 0.79 kg (-1.74 lbs), and in FBG by -7.44 mg/dL. No effect on HDL or blood pressure was seen. (9)