Mannans

Other Names

1,4-beta-D-MannanAcetylated mannanAcetylated polymannosealpha-D-Mannanbeta-1,4-Mannanbeta-D-MannanCassia gumDeacetylated konjac mannanFenugreek gumGalactoglucomannanGalactomannanGlucomannanGonyakGuar gumHemicellulose mannanIvory nut mannanKonjacKonjac glucomannanKonjac mannanKonjak mannanKonjak root mannanKonnyakuLinear mannanLocust bean gumMannanMannan oligosaccharidesMannan polysaccharideMannan-oligosaccharides-protein conjugatesManno-oligosaccharidesMannobioseMannohexaoseMannoproteinsMannose polymerMannose-type polysaccharidesMannotetraoseMannotrioseMOSPartially hydrolyzed guar gumPlant mannanTara gumYeast cell wall mannanYeast mannan

Synopsis

Mannans: A Comprehensive Reference Article

1. Identity: Chemical Names, Classification, and Natural Sources

1.1 Definition and Chemical Identity

Mannans are polymers containing the sugar mannose as a principal component. Structurally, mannans are composed of β-(1→4)-linked mannose units, which are widely distributed in plant cell walls, yeast, and bacterial exopolysaccharides. They are a type of polysaccharide found in hemicellulose, a major source of biomass found in higher plants such as softwoods.

Mannans are classified into four different types: linear mannan (β-1,4-mannan), galactomannan, glucomannan, and galactoglucomannan. All of these types share a backbone of β-(1,4)-linked residues. Mannose is the major backbone component, though some types have glucose interspersed at different proportions, and mannan often carries α-(1,6)-galactose side chains.

1.2 The Four Major Structural Types

Linear (homo)mannan: The main chain comprises β-1,4-linked D-mannose residues and is found in wood, plant seeds, and the endosperm of Palmae. Linear mannans are present as a major structural polysaccharide in wood and as a storage polysaccharide in plant seeds such as ivory nuts and coffee beans. The linear mannan is also present in red alga Porphyra umbilicalis and green alga Codium fragile as a structural polysaccharide.
Galactomannan: Galactomannans are polysaccharides composed of a (1-4)-linked beta-D-mannose main chain with 1-6-linked alpha-D-galactose side chains. Galactomannans are found as an endospermic polysaccharide of seeds from the family Leguminosae. The degree of galactose substitution varies by source: in guar gum, two mannoses are linked to each galactose; in tara gum, three mannoses are linked to each galactose; and in locust bean gum, four mannoses are linked to each galactose.
Glucomannan: Glucomannan is a main constituent of konjac, and is a complex polysaccharide with a multiple-linked structure composed of β-1,4-linked D-glucose and D-mannose. Glucomannan is found in the bulbs, roots, and tubers of some kinds of plants as a storage polysaccharide.
Galactoglucomannan: Galactoglucomannans are present in the wood of gymnosperms. In softwoods (gymnosperms), glucomannans and galactoglucomannans account for up to 20% of dry weight, playing a vital role in secondary wall architecture and mechanical stability.

1.3 Principal Natural Sources

Celebrated mannans include guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac glucomannan, yeast mannans, and softwood glucomannans. More specifically:

Konjac glucomannan (KGM): Derived from the corms of Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch (family Araceae). The mannose to glucose ratio in KGM is 1.6:1. Konjac mannan dissolves in water to form highly viscous solutions and is acetylated at approximately one acetyl group for every 19 sugar residues; in the presence of alkali, deacetylation occurs and thermally irreversible gels are produced.
Guar gum: Derived from the seeds of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, a legume. Leguminous seeds such as guar are rich in galactomannans, which accumulate in the endosperm as reserve carbohydrates for seed germination.
Locust bean gum (carob gum): Derived from the seeds of Ceratonia siliqua. Like guar, it is a galactomannan, but with a higher mannose-to-galactose ratio.
Yeast mannans: Found in the cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and related fungi. Derived from yeast cell walls, these mannans have garnered attention due to their prebiotic properties.
Ivory nut mannan: Tropical plants such as ivory nuts contain linear mannans, which represent relatively rare homopolymers in nature.
Other sources: Additional sources of mannans include guar (Cyamopsis tetragonolobus) gum, locust bean gum, tagua palm (ivory nut), copra mannan (palm), salep mannan, coffee mannan, and carob (Ceratonia siliqua) mannan.

1.4 Mannan Oligosaccharides (MOS)

When a long chain of mannan is hydrolyzed into shorter chains, these smaller molecules are known as mannan oligosaccharides (MOS). MOS can be produced from either insoluble galactomannan or soluble glucomannan, and glucomannan MOS is used as a prebiotic in animal husbandry and nutritional supplements due to its bioactivity. MOS is composed of 2–7 mannose units linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds and is obtained by partially hydrolyzing mannan polysaccharide.

1.5 Common Commercial Forms and Preparations

Over the past two decades, purified konjac flour, commonly known as konjac glucomannan, has been introduced into the United States and Europe, both as a food additive and a dietary supplement, available in capsule form or as a drink mix and in food products. In the food industry, mannans have various applications such as edible films/coatings, gel formation, stiffeners, viscosity modifiers, stabilizers, texture improvers, water absorbents, and as prebiotics in dairy products and bakery products, seasonings, diet foods, and coffee whiteners. Galactomannans from sources like guar, locust bean, and fenugreek gums are widely studied for drug delivery systems including tablets, nanoparticles, hydrogels, and micelles.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

2.1 Konjac in East Asian Tradition

The Chinese were the first to study and utilise konjac, and it was first described as a medicinal herb in the Shen Nong Materia Medica during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC–8 AD). Konjac (moyu) was first domesticated in Southwest China approximately 2,000 years ago, where Yi people and other early cultivators developed methods to detoxify the naturally irritating corm through repeated boiling and the use of alkaline ash water.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a gel prepared from the flour has been used for detoxification, tumour-suppression, blood stasis alleviation, and phlegm liquefaction; and for more than 2,000 years it has been consumed by the indigenous people of China for the treatment of asthma, cough, hernia, breast pain, burns, as well as haematological and skin disorders. People living in regions such as Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Myanmar, China, Korea, and Indonesia have used these medicinal plants.

Konjac gel has been a popular traditional Japanese food (konnyaku) for over a thousand years and is also used to produce noodles and jelly desserts. Konjac has long been used in China, Japan, and South East Asia as a food source and as a traditional medicine. Flour extracted from the corm of this species is used in Far Eastern cuisine to make noodles, tofu, and snacks.

2.2 Galactomannans in Traditional Cultures

Leguminous seeds such as guar and locust bean are rich in galactomannans, which accumulate in the endosperm as reserve carbohydrates for seed germination. Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) has been cultivated for millennia on the Indian subcontinent, where it was consumed as a food crop and used in traditional Ayurvedic preparations. Locust bean (carob) has a long history of use in Mediterranean cultures as a food source and traditional remedy. The glucomannans comprise mainly mannose and glucose sugars, and can be extracted from a wide range of different botanical sources where there is variability in molecular weight and the mannose to glucose ratio.

2.3 Yeast Mannan in Traditional Fermented Foods

Yeast-derived mannans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been consumed indirectly for millennia through fermented foods such as bread, beer, and wine. Although populations did not isolate these specific polysaccharides, the intact yeast cell walls — rich in mannans and beta-glucans — were consumed as part of these traditional dietary staples. Mannan oligosaccharides, primarily derived from the outer cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are non-digestible prebiotics known for their diverse roles in improving health.

3. Key Constituents, Active Compounds, and Mechanisms of Action

3.1 Structural Features Governing Bioactivity

Mannans are more structurally diverse than xyloglucans, which are comparatively homogeneous polysaccharides. The structural diversity of mannans allows for a wide range of physicochemical properties, which in turn contributes to their in-planta and biological functionality. The key structural variable is the degree and pattern of galactose or glucose substitution on the mannose backbone, which determines solubility, viscosity, and fermentability.

Water solution of glucomannan shows a higher viscosity than that of galactomannan. Both galactomannan and glucomannan dissolve easily in cold water and swell considerably, while each has a high water-retention property. This exceptional water-holding capacity and gel-forming ability are the primary physicochemical drivers of KGM's physiological effects in the gastrointestinal tract.

3.2 Prebiotic Mechanism: Selective Fermentation

Mannan oligosaccharide is indigestible and can act as a prebiotic to provide health benefits. Konjac gum and konjac glucomannan are unlikely to be absorbed intact and are significantly fermented by intestinal microbiota. Konjac glucomannan and konnyaku are resistant to degradation by salivary and pancreatic enzymes.

Bacteroides ovatus is a common human gut bacterium capable of degrading and growing on several complex plant cell wall polysaccharides, such as hemicellulosic xylan- and β-mannan-based dietary fibers. Fermentation of mannans by gut microbiota produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Fermentation of konjac glucomannan and konnyaku produced SCFA concentrations similar to konjac gum, favouring acetate and propionate over butyrate production.

3.3 Pathogen-Binding Mechanism of MOS

Some prebiotic fibers, such as mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), may be a promising alternative to antibiotics. In addition to selectively growing commensal bacteria and creating a diverse gut microbiota, MOS have a high affinity for specific binding arms on the structure of some pathogenic bacteria and can prevent bacterial adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells. The ability of MOS to bind pathogenic bacteria and selectively grow commensal bacteria is influenced by its carbohydrate structure.

3.4 Immunomodulatory Mechanisms: Lectin and Toll-Like Receptors

Yeast mannan activates immune cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, and epithelial cells. This activation is a cascade through N-linked α-mannose-specific recognition of C-type lectin receptors, such as dectin-2, mannose-binding lectin, mannose receptors, and dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN).

Research in murine models has demonstrated a TLR4-dependent stimulation of TNF by C. albicans mannan, showing that Toll-like receptor pathways are engaged by mannan structures. Dendritic cells abundantly express C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs), many of which can bind to mannans. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), a member of the collectin family in the C-type lectin superfamily, is an important serum component associated with innate immunity.

3.5 Viscosity and Gastric Satiety Mechanism

The viscous gel formed by glucomannan slows the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, which stabilizes blood glucose levels, particularly for individuals with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. The enhanced satiety from the expansion of glucomannan is likely the primary mechanism through which konjac aids in weight management. This soluble fiber has very substantial water-holding properties and forms highly viscous solutions when dissolved in water. It also has considerable hygroscopic properties, expanding rapidly to many times the size of the original material. These properties cause glucomannan to swell in the GI tract after ingestion, producing a feeling of satiety and fullness.

3.6 Cholesterol-Lowering Mechanisms

Glucomannan offers improvements in lipid profiles through reduced cholesterol absorption and lower LDL cholesterol levels. MOS decreases the onset of atherosclerosis development via lowering of plasma cholesterol levels; these effects are accompanied by increased cecal butyrate and fecal excretion of bile acids (BAs), presumably mediated via interactions of MOS with the gut microbiota.

4. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

4.1 Body Weight and Obesity

Evidence summary: Mixed to modest; regulatory approval exists in the EU, but the totality of RCT data is contested.

Approved European health claims relate to glucomannan (konjac mannan) in the contribution to the reduction of body weight, as well as to guar gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.

A 2026 parallel-arm, triple-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial tested the effects of glucomannan on body weight and composition, lipid profile, glucose metabolism, inflammation, gut microbiota, and fecal metabolites. The RCT used 3 g/day for 12 weeks in 40 adults, with both groups adhering to personalized hypocaloric diets and moderate physical activity. Irrespective of treatment, the intervention reduced body weight (mean: −2.39 kg), BMI (−0.83 kg/m²), and waist circumference (−2.70 cm).

Conversely, one trial subjected 53 adults (BMI 25–35) to 8 weeks of glucomannan (approximately 4 g/day) or placebo and found no difference in weight loss (−0.40 kg vs. −0.43 kg) or change in appetite, with satiety, body composition, and metabolic parameters remaining comparable to controls. A trial in 96 obese children and adolescents using 3 g/day for 12 weeks also did not show any effect on BMI or weight loss. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 RCTs found no statistically significant weight loss versus placebo.

4.2 Blood Lipids and Cardiovascular Risk

Evidence summary: Moderate to good for LDL-cholesterol lowering; supported by EFSA-approved health claim.

Evidence from RCTs suggests the consumption of konjac glucomannan (KJM), a viscous soluble fiber, for improving LDL-cholesterol concentrations. It has also been suggested that the cholesterol-lowering potential of KJM may be greater than that of other fibers. However, trials have been relatively scarce and limited in sample size and duration, and effect estimates have been inconsistent.

KGM has demonstrated significant potential in improving cholesterol levels, particularly by lowering LDL-C and triglycerides. In a controlled study, subjects taking glucomannan experienced a notable reduction in serum cholesterol by −32.0 mg/dL and LDL-C by −28.7 mg/dL.

In animal studies, female hyperlipidemic mice fed a high-cholesterol diet with or without 1% MOS for 14 weeks showed that MOS substantially decreased atherosclerotic lesions by up to 54% as assessed in the valve area of the aortic root. MOS increased the abundance of cecal Bacteroides ovatus and did not affect fecal excretion of cholesterol but increased fecal bile acids and butyrate in the cecum. This study was in mice and does not directly translate to human outcomes.

4.3 Blood Glucose and Diabetes Management

Evidence summary: Preliminary to moderate in humans; promising reductions in fasting glucose reported, but study designs vary.

In clinical trials involving type 2 diabetic patients, KGM supplementation has been associated with a reduction in fasting glucose levels by 23.2% compared to placebo. Studies have reported a wide range of KGM dosages, from 0.7 g to 15 g per day, which can significantly influence the outcomes related to blood sugar regulation and cholesterol reduction.

One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated KGM combined with inulin. The effects of low-fat yogurt enriched with konjac glucomannan (KGM) and inulin on glycemic control and lipid profiles were investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eighty participants were randomly assigned to consume either 150 g of yogurt enriched with 1.5 g of KGM and 1.5 g of inulin (n=40) or plain low-fat yogurt (n=40) daily for 8 weeks. Because this study used a combination of KGM and inulin, it is not possible to attribute outcomes solely to KGM.

In a preclinical model, combination usage of metformin with prebiotic konjac mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) demonstrated synergistic effects on ameliorating insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, as well as repairing islet and hepatic histology. This is an animal study and cannot be directly applied to human recommendations.

4.4 Bowel Function and Constipation

Evidence summary: Moderate clinical evidence; consistent with the mechanistic expectation of a viscous, fermentable fiber. An EFSA health claim has been proposed for maintenance of normal bowel function.

The EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies has examined health claims related to konjac mannan (glucomannan) in connection with maintenance of normal bowel function. Health benefits associated with mannans include constipation alleviation, prevention of diarrhea, and balancing intestinal microbiota. The viscous gel formed by KGM in the gastrointestinal tract increases stool bulk and transit, consistent with effects observed in clinical trials of other soluble fibers.

4.5 Gut Microbiota Modulation

Evidence summary: Preclinical evidence (animal and in vitro) is robust; human data are limited and primarily from small trials.

Dietary supplementation with mannan oligosaccharides from yeast cells has had a significant impact with respect to changing the bacterial ecology in the gut. MOS demonstrates a prebiotic effect, fostering an increase in bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, known for their beneficial roles in enhancing gastrointestinal health, upon ingestion of these indigestible oligosaccharides.

In a mouse model, an 11-week study on mice fed a high-fat diet with or without MOS supplementation showed that MOS could attenuate high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome. Next-generation sequencing indicated that MOS modulated the overall structure of the gut microbiome. Specifically, MOS decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and reversed changes in the relative abundance of several species, including Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides acidifaciens, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum. These effects are in rodent models and require replication in human trials.

Emerging evidence highlights the role of konjac in supporting the proliferation of beneficial intestinal bacteria such as Bacteroidetes and Akkermansia, which are associated with improved metabolic outcomes and negatively correlated with BMI. SCFAs produced by the fermentation of glucomannan also influence intestinal barrier function and immune responses.

4.6 Immunomodulation

Evidence summary: Mechanistically plausible and supported by in vitro and animal data; direct human clinical evidence is limited for immune endpoints specifically.

The major bioactivities of mannans, including immunomodulatory, antioxidative, and prebiotic effects, reflect their relevance in biopharmaceutical applications. The major bioactivities of mannans, including immunomodulatory, antioxidative, and prebiotic effects, reflect their relevance in biopharmaceutical applications.

Mannan from yeast cells can improve health and performance of animals by preventing pathogens binding to the gut and by stimulating the immune system. The mechanism involves recognition by pattern recognition receptors on immune cells. In mammals, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) from the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and C-type lectin (CLR) families are important in the recognition of yeasts and yeast cell wall fractions such as mannans and β-glucans. Twenty-two recognised TLRs play an important role in recognizing yeast ligands such as zymosan, phospholipomannan, O-linked mannans, glucoronoxylomannan, and fungal DNA. The clinical significance of these mechanisms in dietary supplementation contexts in healthy humans remains insufficiently studied.

4.7 Antioxidant Effects

Evidence summary: Primarily preclinical (in vitro and animal); insufficient human data.

The major bioactivities of mannans include immunomodulatory, antioxidative, and prebiotic effects. Specific antioxidant mechanisms proposed include the scavenging of reactive oxygen species by mannan hydroxyl groups, though clinical human trial data demonstrating meaningful antioxidant endpoints in supplementation contexts are not yet established.

4.8 Colorectal Cancer Risk

Evidence summary: Speculative and based on indirect evidence (prebiotic effects, SCFA production, gut microbiota composition). No direct clinical evidence from intervention trials in humans.

Emerging evidence highlights KGM's anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory effects, with applications in managing inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. This reflects the hypothesized pathway — butyrate production from fermentation, improved barrier function, and shifts in microbiota — but direct clinical evidence in humans is not yet available from randomized controlled trials.

5. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated With Mannans

Gastrointestinal system: Bulk-forming and stool-softening effects; prebiotic fermentation supporting microbiota diversity; intestinal barrier integrity via SCFA production; constipation and bowel regularity.
Metabolic/endocrine system: Glycemic modulation through slowing carbohydrate absorption; insulin sensitivity; lipid profile management including LDL-C and total cholesterol reduction.
Cardiovascular system: LDL-C and triglyceride reduction; preclinical evidence for reduction in atherosclerotic lesion development via gut microbiota–mediated bile acid excretion.
Immune system: Modulation of innate immune signaling through C-type lectin receptors and TLRs; stimulation of macrophage and dendritic cell activity; competitive exclusion of pathogens from gut epithelium via MOS binding.
Adipose/weight regulation: Gastric expansion-mediated satiety; modest effects on body weight in some populations.

Mannans improve the texture and appeal of food products and provide numerous health benefits like controlling obesity and body weight, prebiotic benefits, constipation alleviation, prevention of diarrhea, checking inflammation due to gut-related diseases, management of diverticular disease, balancing intestinal microbiota, immune system modulation, and reduced risk of colorectal cancer.

6. Dosage Forms and Dosages Reported in Studies

The following dosages are reported directly from the cited scientific or regulatory literature and are not recommendations.

A 2026 RCT used glucomannan at 3 g/day for 12 weeks.
One trial used glucomannan at approximately 1.33 g before each meal (approximately 4 g/day) for 8 weeks in 53 adults.
A pediatric trial used 3 g/day for 12 weeks.
One diabetic patient trial used 1.5 g of KGM (combined with 1.5 g of inulin) daily for 8 weeks.
Studies have reported a wide range of KGM dosages, from 0.7 g to 15 g per day.
A standard supplemental dose of 1–4 g/day, split before meals with ample water, has been described in evidence databases.
An EFSA novel food opinion noted a recommended maximum daily intake of 15 g for an alginate–konjac–xanthan complex from fortified foods and food supplements.
The EFSA Panel agreed that uses of konjac (E 425) as an additive at levels up to 10 g/kg in food are acceptable, provided that the total intake from all sources stays below 3 g/day.
In the mouse atherosclerosis study, MOS was administered at 1% of the diet for 14 weeks (an animal dose not directly applicable to humans).

Dosage forms available commercially include powders (mixed with water before ingestion), capsules, tablets, and food ingredients (e.g., shirataki noodles, konjac flour, konjac gel). Both galactomannan and glucomannan dissolve easily in cold water and swell considerably.

7. Safety Considerations and Known Interactions

7.1 General Gastrointestinal Tolerability

Konjac gum and konjac glucomannan were of no concern with respect to genotoxicity. However, after a daily dosage of 3,000 mg in adults for 12 weeks, several individuals experienced abdominal discomfort including diarrhoea or constipation. Negative effects reported in the literature include flatulence, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal obstruction, and possible modification of the bioavailability of other medications.

7.2 Esophageal Obstruction and Choking Risk

This is the most clinically significant documented safety concern for glucomannan specifically. Reports in the medical literature and data accumulated by the FDA indicate that esophageal obstruction and asphyxiation have been associated with the ingestion of water-soluble gums, hydrophilic gums, and hydrophilic mucilloids including, but not limited to, glucomannan ((B-1,4 linked) polymannose acetate), guar gum, karaya gum, and xanthan gum. Esophageal obstruction and asphyxiation due to orally administered drug products containing water-soluble gums are significant health risks when these products are taken without adequate fluid or when they are used by individuals with esophageal narrowing or dysfunction, or with difficulty in swallowing.

A published case report describes a 37-year-old female who developed delayed esophageal obstruction after ingesting an over-the-counter diet aid containing glucomannan. The patient ultimately cleared the obstruction through forceful emesis, just prior to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and was noted to have an esophageal web during outpatient endoscopy. This case illustrates the potential dangers of glucomannan in patients with a history of upper gastrointestinal pathology.

Konjac glucomannan, psyllium, and guar gum may produce esophageal obstruction when taken in large doses or consumed for a long time, due to their high capacity to absorb water and great expansion rates.

7.3 FDA Import Alert for Konjac Gel Candies

In 2001, the FDA issued a warning about the danger of choking caused by konjac candy, following several choking deaths as well as near-deaths from choking among children and elderly people who consumed candies described as "mini-cup gel and jelly products." These candies contain the ingredient konjac (also called conjac, konnyaku, yam flour, or glucomannan) and were typically packaged in cups as individual, mouth-sized servings, often featuring an embedded piece of preserved fruit.

7.4 EFSA Safety Determination

The EFSA Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical acceptable daily intake (ADI) and that there was no safety concern for the general population at the refined exposure assessment for the reported uses of konjac gum (E 425 i) and konjac glucomannan (E 425 ii) as food additives under the current conditions of use of 10 g/kg. The available database on toxicological studies was considered limited; however, no relevant adverse effects were seen in rats and dogs in 90-day feeding studies, with the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) in rats being 1,250 mg konjac glucomannan/kg bw per day.

7.5 Drug Interactions

Possible modification of the bioavailability of other medications has been reported. The viscous gel formed by glucomannan in the gastrointestinal tract may delay or reduce the absorption of co-administered drugs. This is a physicochemical interaction mechanism consistent with other high-viscosity soluble fibers; however, specific quantitative data in humans on which drugs are most affected, and by how much, remain limited in the published clinical literature.

7.6 Populations Requiring Particular Attention

A dosage of 3 g konjac glucomannan divided in three 1 g doses per person per day for 12 weeks was associated with gastrointestinal effects including diarrhoea or constipation. Individuals with esophageal pathology should avoid such products, especially the isolated commercial forms. Higher-risk groups identified in the literature include small children, older adults with swallowing difficulty, and people with dysphagia.

7.7 Non-Genotoxicity and General Toxicological Profile

Non-toxicity of mannans permits their usage in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, cosmetics, and textile industries. Mannan oligosaccharide is indigestible and can act as a prebiotic to provide health benefits. It has favorable physical and chemical properties such as low calories, high stability, and non-toxicity.

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that Mannans may help support.

No conditions available.

Body Systems

Body systems that Mannans may help support.

No body systems available.