Recent progress in biological activities and health benefits of konjac glucomannan and its derivatives

Abstract Konjac glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber extracted from konjac tubers, and it has become a relatively common food source in Asia. In recent years, as people's demand for natural health products has gradually increased, KGM is being widely studied as a natural biologically active substance. Because KGM has excellent biocompatibility and non-toxic and harmless characteristics, it can be used in food, medicine and biological fields. This review mainly focuses on recent studies on the biological activity of KGM and its derivatives and their health benefits to humans, mainly in terms of anti-diabetic, anti-cholesterol, anti-obesity, anti-tumor, prebiotic, constipation improvement and wound healing effects.