Are Shirataki Noodles Good for You?

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What if I told you there was a gluten-free, zero calorie, zero carbohydrate noodle that was a great alternative to traditional pasta noodles (for those who aren’t fans of veggie noodles)?

Turns out there is and while I was skeptical at first, I’ve come to love these incredible noodles:

What are Shirataki Noodles?

As you may guess from the name, shirataki noodles originated in Japan. They are made from the Konjac root, also called White Yam or Devil’s Tongue. They have a gelatinous texture and are a good source of the dietary fiber Glucomannan.

To make the noodles, the Glucomannan fiber is extracted from the Konjac root and mixed with water and limewater. This creates a gelatinous substance called konnyaku which is made into noodle-like or rice-like substances.

The finished noodles are 97% water and 3% indigestible fiber, making it a zero calorie noodle.

These noodles have gained the nickname “Miracle Noodles,” and are completely paleo and calorie-free.

They have virtually no taste on their own but have a slight fish-like smell when packaged wet. This is due to the water they are packaged in and can be easily rinsed off.

Some versions of these noodles have added soy or other ingredients so it is important to read labels if using these noodles. They can be found both wet (like these) and dry (like these) and can be used in many dishes in place of wheat-based noodles.

Are Shirataki Noodles Healthy?

It would seem like a product like this is too good to be true, but Shirataki noodles live up to their hype.

These noodles are a high-fiber food yet have no calories and no carbohydrates. The Glucomannan fiber in the noodles is a type of viscous fiber (soluble fiber). This is similar to what is found in chia seeds why they can absorb up to 50 times their weight in water.

Prebiotics in Glucomannan Fiber

The viscous fiber in Shirataki noodles is known as a prebiotic, meaning that it is indigestible to humans. It provides no calories or nutrients to human cells, but nourishes good bacteria in the digestive system.

This fiber also moves through the digestive system slowly and offers digestive and gut health benefits.

Certain beneficial gut bacteria function by fermenting this insoluble fiber in Shirataki Noodles and other fruits and vegetables. Gut bacteria feeds on the byproducts of this fermentation. This is one of the many reasons why vegetables and fruits are so beneficial and Glucomannan fiber is another source of this viscous fiber.

As Authority Nutrition explains:

In addition, viscous fiber functions as a prebiotic. It nourishes the bacteria living in your colon, also known as the gut flora or microbiota.

In your colon, bacteria ferment fiber into short-chain fatty acids, which can fight inflammation, boost immune function and provide other health benefits (1, 2, 3).

A recent human study found that fermenting glucomannan fiber to short-chain fatty acids produces one calorie per gram (4).

Since a typical serving of shirataki noodles contains about 1–3 grams of glucomannan, it’s essentially a calorie-free, carb-free food.

Glucomannan for Weight Loss

Shirataki products and other Glucomannan containing foods are sometimes recommended for weight loss. These foods are no-calorie and high-fiber and are recommended on various types of diets.

Though the fiber itself is indigestible to humans, it feeds gut bacteria and moves through the gut slowly, leading to a longer feeling of fullness and satiety. Studies have shown that daily consumption of Glucomannan fiber can help with weight loss.

This are several potential reasons for this:

  • It may reduce Ghrelin (hunger hormone) levels, especially when consumed regularly
  • Glucomannan may help stabilize blood sugar levels (source)
  • It may help improve cholesterol levels and ratios and may reduce LDL and Trygliceride levels (source)
  • It may help improve digestion and feed beneficial gut bacteria
  • It can stimulate the production of a gut hormone called peptide YY (PYY), which helps a person feel full for longer

Glucomannan as a Resistant Starch

Resistant starch is another name for a starch that doesn’t feed the human body directly but that increases fermentation in the gut and creates beneficial byproducts like butyrate (an important compounds linked to cell health).

Think of resistant starch as food for your gut bacteria because as the name suggests, it resists digestion in our guts but provides several benefits in the process.

Resistant starch may have many benefits for gut health and we aren’t consuming as much of it in modern times as we have historically.

While research has revealed the importance of probiotics and this is a booming industry of supplements, yogurts and beverages, prebiotics are also very important but not as trendy.

Glucomannan is a great source of resistant starch and an incredibly easy way to incorporate this into the diet.

The Downside of Shirataki Noodles

The one potential downside of Shirataki noodles containing Glucomannan (and other forms of resistant starch) is short term digestive discomfort.

Though Glucomannan is generally considered safe, there are some potential short term digestive side effects like bloating and discomfort. (source)

To avoid these issues, it is generally recommended to start taking Glucomannan and other forms of resistant starch slowly and work up gradually.

Additionally, because of the ability of Glucomannan to absorb a large amount of water, care should be taken not to consume it dry or without adequate water. Intestinal blockages have been reported from consuming large amounts of the dried form of this root.

It is best not to take Shirataki noodles or other Glucomannan containing foods within a couple of hours of taking medication or supplements as it may reduce absorption.

Where to Get Shirataki Noodles

These noodles and other products made from Konjac root are now available in many grocery stores and online.

I’ve tried the following types:

How to Use Shirataki Noodles

These noodles can be used in place of traditional pasta noodles in almost any dish, including Italian and Asian recipes. They are virtually tasteless and absorb flavors well, making them a perfect addition to stir frys, soups and pasta dishes.

Most brands come wet, or pre-hydrated in water within the package. They can technically be consumed this way, but it is recommended to drain them well and rinse under fresh water for a few minutes. This removes the slightly fishy scent that is a result of the storage in water in the package.

How to Cook For Best Texture

For best texture, I’ve found the following method helpful:

  1. Drain the noodles
  2. Rinse under cool water for 1-2 minutes
  3. Drop into boiling water for another 1-2 minutes to further soften and improve texture
  4. Drain and pat dry and place in a dry skillet over medium heat for at least 5 minutes to dry slightly
  5. Add to dishes or add flavors as desired at this point

The Bottom Line

These noodles can be a great gluten-free alternative to regular noodles. They require some specific preparation but take on flavors well. Shirataki Noodles can be good for weight loss and are considered a vegan, paleo and nutritious alternative to other noodles.

Have you ever used Shirataki Noodles? How do you like to prepare them?

Sources

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

69 responses to “Are Shirataki Noodles Good for You?”

  1. sandy Avatar

    Hi, do they “go off”? I have quite a lot of packs that are well past their sell by dates but don’t know if they are ok to eat even though they look all right.
    In the past I never had a problem eating them and always used to cook them after rinsing in boiling water then in a dry frying pan.

  2. Jane Avatar

    I have trouble adding weight! That said, if these interfere with supplement absorption, do they also prevent nutrient absorption from a meal?

    1. Katie Wells Avatar

      These are often used by people trying to lose weight, so if you’re trying to gain, I’d opt for a denser and higher calorie option!

  3. Krista Sigmon Avatar
    Krista Sigmon

    Hi! All of the brands I have looked at contain calcium hydroxide. Is it safe?

  4. Natalie Foster Avatar
    Natalie Foster

    Thank you for this website! I was trying to find out if shirataki noodles can be packaged dry. A google search led me to you, and your site has an active hyperlink to purchase them on Amazon. So efficient and helpful – I really appreciate it!

  5. Melissa Avatar

    Very grateful for all the comments from people who didn’t do well with these. Me either! My gah! My belly swelled up with what feels like 10 pounds of gas. Unbelievable. It’s 24 hours later and I’m still a hot air balloon. Wild horses couldn’t get me to eat another one of these noodles! They definitely came out exactly as they went in, no digestion happened at all.

    Also, I am concerned that they are just packaged in ‘water.’ That’s a pretty bad sign there. I should have thought to myself, “Do I drink tap water at home? Then why would I eat something packaged in ‘water’?”

    They were extremely difficult to chew, had a terrible smell when the bag was opened, and what a horrible texture!

    Never again!

  6. Eunice Avatar

    I was so excited when I discovered this item. I am very over weight and I’m currently researching the Keto diet so I thought the gods had sent me my magic bullet. This was going to be a game-changer, I thought.

    I tried it one night last week for the first time and had the worst allergic reaction ever, only I didn’t know it was the noodles. I blamed the reaction on the savoy cabbage I consumed for the first time.

    I developed welts all over my body, the worst itch ever, and my throat closed up almost completely. Thank God I had Zyrtec ( anti histamine) in the house and I took that and the symptoms went away after a while. What a scary experience.

    Well, since I did not attribute the reaction to the noodles, I made them again tonight for dinner. Once again, I got the allergic reaction. Today, I knew exactly what was happening so I took the Zyrtec immediately I felt the itching start . I am still itching and covered in welts, but my throat is not constricted. Thank God.

    Anyway, my only advice for those thinking of trying the Konjac products to be aware, and just to be on the same side, have an anti histamine handy. Be cautious before feeding it to a child.

    1. Annie Avatar

      I just had the same reaction. I can’t find much information. I’m so disappointed, because I felt great!

  7. Zach Avatar

    It should be noted digestive discomfort only applies if you don’t have a lot of fiber in your diet. If you regularly consume plenty of pro/prebiotics and have have a robust microbiome, you can digest fibrous foods like these much more effectively.

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