Carbohydrate-restriction Dry Konnyaku (ABS Dry Konnyaku) for diabetes

Application samples

gyuudon	ochazuke	raamen	pasta
burgers	dumplings	icecream	breads
jam	sausage filling	udon	fried rice

Development Background

Nowadays, there are serious concerns that many people are suffering from lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes.  In Japan, the number of diabetic patients in 2007 was 8.9 million, and it is said that if potential patient numbers were included, the overall total would soar to around 2,210 million cases.  Within the last 40 years, this number has increased by 50%, which means that the number of patients has increased by more than 10 percent per year.  Diabetes now affects more than 450 million people worldwide.

Diabetes causes various complications such as myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, renal dysfunction, retinopathy, among others.  Recently the relationships between diabetes and atopic eczema and gastric cancer have also been reported.  The cost for healthcare associated with these conditions has become immense, and under these circumstances, there is a growing need for low-calorie, low-carbohydrate foods.  Once a person becomes a diabetic, he or she eats staple foods such as rice or noodles, or sweets or fruits, his or her blood sugar level will rise.  This means that diabetic patients are sometimes dissatisfied with the types of foods they are allowed to eat, which has created a need for the development of a new low-carbohydrate food for diabetics which is both delicious and satisfying while being low in calories and sugars.

For centuries in Japan, Konnyaku has been widely recognised as a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie ingredient, which has been eaten for over 1,500 years.  We have improved the texture of traditional Konnyaku and have developed a new type of patent-protected Konnyaku which can be eaten with confidence by diabetics and potential diabetics as a substitute for such staple food items as rice, noodles and bread.

ABS Dry Konnyaku is an ideal substitute for rice or noodles. Restrict the amount of carbohydrate (low-carbohydrate) is a key to control diabetes rather than cutting down calories. Therefore, ABS Dry Konnyaku can be used for carbohydrate restriction for diabetic patients and people who would like to reduce the risk of becoming diabetic.

rice shaped

powdered

Features of ABS Dried Konnyaku

1.  ABS Dry Konnyaku is an alternative for a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate staple diet

We have improved the texture of traditional Konnyaku and have developed products which can be eaten as part of a staple diet (for example rice and noodles).  ABS Dry Konnyaku contains 181.1kcal/100g calories and 28.4g/100g carbohydrates.  Since it absorbs water which causes it to expand to four times its size, when it is cooked, (for example as cooked rice), it contains only 45.3kcal/100g calories and 7.1g/100g in carbohydrates.

A comparison in calories and carbohydrates per 100g ABS Dry Konnyaku when reconstituted with 4 parts water to 1 part ABS Dry Konnyaku:

	Rice	ABS rice, cooked	Egg noodle	ABS noodle, cooked
calories	168kcal	45.3kcal (27%)	198kcal	45.3kcal (22%)
Carbohydrate	35.8g	7.1g    (19%)	36.5g	7.1g    (19%)

It has been said that 1g of carbohydrate will increase blood sugar levels by 3mg.  However, the carbohydrate in ABS Dry Konnyaku is as low as 7.1g/100g when it is reconstituted with hot water.  It is therefore possible to prevent a rise in blood sugar levels.

The following table is a comparison of blood sugar levels when a person with Type 2 Diabetes has eaten 150g of cooked ABS Dry Konnyaku versus one who has eaten 150g of cooked rice.  The data of blood sugar levels were taken one hour after eating:

	ABS Konnyakurehydrated with water (four times)Sugar 10.6/150g	Cooked riceSugar 53.7/150g
Blood sugar levelsEmpty stomach	116 mg / dl	117 mg /dl
Blood sugar levelsOne hour after eating	139 mg /dl	278 mg/ dl
Increase of blood glucose level	23 mg/ dl	161 mg/ dl

 

2.  ABS Dry Konnyaku is rich in dietary fibre and is gluten-free:

The ABS Dry Konnyaku is made from konjac flour, indigestible dextirn (reducible type), resistant starch (a high density starch which is high in dietary fibre), and microcystalline cellulose.  The calculated value of its dietary fibre is 66.6g/100g in dry conditions.  The dietary fibre in ABS Dry Konnyaku reconstituted by hot water (approximately 4 parts to 1 part ABS Dry Konnyaku), is 16.7g/100g.  One serving of 150g dietary fibre will be about 25.0g/150g.  The amount of the dietary fibre needed for an adult is considered as 20-30g per day.  Therefore, it can be met by eating only one serving.  In addition, the ABS Dry Konnyaku contains a great deal of indigestible dextrin (reducible type), which is 12.1g/150g when reconsituted in hot water (approximately 4 parts to 1 part ABS Dry Konnyaku).  In addition, it is gluten-free.

The amount of the dietary fibre in ABS Konnyaku (calculated value)

	ABS Dry (100?)	ABS (approximately 4 parts to 1 part ABS Dry Konnyaku) (100?)	ABS (approximately 4 parts to 1 part ABS Dry Konnyaku) 1 serving(150?)
Indigestible dextrin	32.21 g	8.05 g	12.08 g
Other dietary fibre	34.43 g	8.61 g	12.91 g
Total dietary fibre	66.64 g	16.66 g	24.99 g

Indigestible dextrin is a dietary fibre which is approved as a food for specified health use (FOSHU) and various advantages have been reported such as:  its superlative healthful effects upon the intestines, the acceleratory effect on mineral absorption, inhibitive effects on post-prandial blood sugar levels, and neutral fat level, a lowering effect upon serum lipids, and a reduction of visceral fat, etc.

3. ABS Dry Konnyaku can be shaped in various forms such as grain, flour, rice, noodles, etc. 

ABS Dry Konnyaku has been developed as a possible alternative to some staple foods.  When shaped like rice, it becomes pseudo-rice or when shaped like noodles, it becomes pseudo-noodles.  By pulverizing it into powder which can even be used for a substitution for flour, it can be applied in various foods such as bread, jam, confectionery and so on.

4. ABS Dry Konnyaku can be reconstituted by hot water

ABS Dry Konnyaku becomes four times its size when immersed in hot water.  For example, if you would like to eat 150g of ABS Dry Konnyaku rice, you would reconstitute it by pouring hot or boiling water over 37.5g of rice-shaped ABS Dry Konnyaku.  In addition, as it is dry, it is easily stored or carried.  In the past, if you were to cook with Konnyaku pseudo-rice in a normal rice cooker, everyone in the family would have to eat it.  With ABS Dry Konnyaku, you can easily reconstitute as much as you need whenever necessary.

5.  ABS Dry Konnyaku has a wide range of processing features

In addition to be reconstituted, ABS Dry Konnyaku can also be frozen or retort processed.  Traditional Konnyaku cannot be frozen as it becomes dessicated.  Due to these new features, ABS Dry Konnyaku can be used in various ways as the possibilities are endless.

6.  ABS Dry Konnyaku is odorless

Tradtional Konnyaku has a strong oder but ABS Dry Konnyaku has no odor thanks to its special manufacturing process.  It can also be used as a substitute for staple food items such as rice, noodles, bread and so on.  We have successfully developed ABS Dry Konnyaku as a multi-purpose food item.

ABS Nutrition details

	Cooked rice (100g)	ABSKonnyaku rice(100g)	Chinese noodle (100g)	ABSKonnyaku noodle (100g)
Calories (kcal)	168	45.3 (27%)	198	45.3 (23%)
Sugar (g)	35.8	5.7 (16%)	36.5	5.7 (16%)
Protein (g)	2.5	Less than 0.1	4.9	Less than 0.1
Lipid (g)	0.3	Less than 0.1	0.6	Less than 0.1
Dietary fibre (g)	0.3	16.7 (55 times)	1.3	16.7 (13 times)

If you would like to import ABS Dry Konnyaku, please contact us at info@e-konnyaku.com.