Konnyaku is a constant seller as healthy food that Japan is proud of. It attracts attention in the foreign countries such as U.S.A. or Brazil, and popular saying that it is good for diet. It is also one of the popular items on Ichiba Junction.
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It is said konnyaku "does the cleaning of the stomach" from old days, but is the effect true?
■ Nourishment and health benefit
- Insoluble dietary fibre
The glucomannan that is one of the ingredients is a water-soluble dietary fibre, but changes to an insoluble dietary fibre when it is made konnyaku with solidification materials. It is not to a solution dietary fibre even if insoluble dietary fibre is heated or chewed well and eats.
However, this Insoluble dietary fibre has distinguished effect of relieving constipation. Quantity of the faces increase without an insoluble dietary fiber being digested by being contained within large intestine, and by being sent the signal of the bowel movement, it is expected bowl movement early.
- Calcium
Absorption factor is high and can expect the osteoporotic prevention and stress decrease effect for calcium derived from a plant. Shirataki noodle has calcium approximately 2 times of block konnyaku.
- Ceramide
There is little content, but is famous as a component with the fair skin effect. It gives moisturizer, melanin restraint of the skin and a collagen increase effect. In addition, it can be expected the improvement such as atopic dermatitis or hay fever, too.
Because the konnyaku has little nutritive value, eat in conjunction with other foods. The absorption inhibition of other nutrilites and the burden to the stomach and intestines by overeating, ileus may be caused. Let's reduce the burden to the stomach and intestines by chewing well. In addition, let's use it as "the thing to show a feeling of full stomach, and prevents overeating" when taking it in as diet. The standard consumption of konnyaku a day is one piece of block konnyaku (250g) intake.
For a person with many caloric meals, it can be improved meal balance to take in daily meals with showing strong feeling of full stomach and low calorie konnyaku and can expected restraint of cholesterol, a decline of the blood sugar level (the diabetes prevention) and weight loss effect.
■ Cooking Tips
Blanch konnyaku before using it to reduce its unique smell.
In addition, by slapping it against a cutting board, it softens and becomes easy to bite it, and taste seems to feel it more. When you want to have the soft touch with simmered food, prevent stewing it more than ten minutes.
■ Recipes
- Teriyaki Konnyaku
- Stir-fried Mushrooms and Shirataki Noodle
- Shirataki (Noodle Konnyaku) Parched with Pollock Roe
- Spicy Chilli Konnyaku
- Japanese Pilaf
- Kinpira Sauteed Burdock Root
- San-J Shirataki Noodle
- Mizu Taki Hot Pot
- Oden Hot Pot
- Ishikari Nabe Hot Pot
- Mashed Tofu Salad with Shirataki Noodle
- Sukiyaki with Poached Eggs
- Konnyaku Skewers
