Shirataki: the “miracle” Chinese noodles that do not get fat

To ward off the ghost of possible negative health effects there is a novel option, which has become very popular due to its reputation for being “miraculous”, the “Shirataki” noodles.

Although they are considered Chinese, in reality, their origin is located in Japan, where they have been consuming them for more than 2000 years. As a curious fact, in the Japanese language, “shirataki” means “white waterfall“.

In the market, there is a great variety of pasta, each one more delicious. Because of this, because it is very simple to cook Since it has a powerful caloric load (250-600 calories per cup of wheat pasta), pasta dishes are often among the favorites of many people.

However, this last reason is responsible for the fact that, with each passing year, more voices arise warning about the consequences for the body which can bring the excessive calorie intake into the body.

Why are shirataki miraculous?

Shirataki have been launched on the market with the label of “miraculous” because they contain very few or, practically, no carbohydrates And, as is evident, this translates into a low caloric content.

These noodles are made up of 3% fiber and 97% water and, therefore, they lack fat, sugar and gluten. This “miracle” has to do with the fact that the fiber “glucomannan” is found in shirataki, which is extracted from the plant of the Konjac o cognac, which has a extraordinary ability to retain water.

The effect of this type of fiber on the body, together with the amount of water it contains, is that of partial swelling of the stomach, which, at the same time, generates a feeling of satiety. In addition, being an easily soluble fiber, it also triggers a prebiotic effect on the bacteria in the body.

What are the downsides of shirataki?

In contrast to the aforementioned benefits, the little or no nutritional value and content that shirataki noodles provide makes them a food that should not be considered as the basis of a healthy diet and balanced.

Regarding this, the European Food Safety Authority has declared that this is the ideal food, as a diet base, only for those who are overweight who wish to reduce their calorie intake.

Some other drawbacks of shirataki noodles are the poor flavor and rubbery consistency they own. Also, compared to other types of pasta, these noodles They are expensive, since 200 grams can cost up to 20 euros.

In conclusion, shirataki is a good option to consume from time to time, accompanied by other foods, if what you are looking for is to experiment or innovate a little with your culinary habits..

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