Inulin is a kind of dietary fiber. It has been associated with a variety of health advantages, including improved digestive health, diabetic control, and weight loss. Inulin is a type of dietary fiber that has been shown to improve intestinal health. inulin is found naturally in plants, and it is also added to processed foods by some manufacturers.
In this article, we are going to discuss inulin and its various health benefits of inulin.
About inulin
Many plants contain inulin, a form of soluble fiber. Inulin is a fructan as well. it’s prebiotic, like other fructans, which means it feeds the healthy bacteria in your stomach. Fructans are fructose molecule chains. The chemicals form a bond that the small is unable to break down. Instead, they make their way to the lower stomach, where they nourish the good bacteria there.
Inulin and other prebiotics are converted by gut bacteria into short-chain fatty acids, which nourish colon cells and give a variety of additional health advantages.
Plants that contain inulin have been present for thousands of years, and some of the first humans ate far more inulin than we do now.
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Inulin is added to processed foods by manufacturers to:
• Increase the amount of prebiotics in diets
• Helps in replace fat in foods
• Replace sugar from a meal
• Food texture can be changed
• Increase the health benefits of foods related to gut health benefits.
Health benefits of inulin
• Improves digestive health
The community of bacteria and other microbes that live in the gut is known as the gut microbiota. This population is extremely diverse, with both good and dangerous microorganisms. It’s critical to have the correct bacteria balance in the stomach to maintain it healthy and protect the body from sickness. This balance can be aided by inulin.
• Helps in constipation
Inulin may also help reduce constipation symptoms for many people. Inulin users had more frequent bowel motions and improved stool consistency. Another four-week trial found that older persons who received 15 g of inulin per day had reduced constipation and improved digestion.
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• Helps in weight loss
Inulin has been shown in several studies to aid weight loss. People with prediabetes were given inulin or another fiber called cellulose for 18 weeks in one weight loss research. Between 9 and 18 weeks, those who took inulin dropped much more weight. However, several studies of overweight or obese children have indicated that oligofructose and inulin do not lower calorie consumption.
• Control diabetes
Inulin has been shown in several studies to help persons with diabetes and prediabetes control their blood sugar levels. This, however, may be dependent on the type of inulin used. The high-performance (HP) kind could be particularly useful. HP inulin, for example, was reported to reduce fat in livers of persons with prediabetes in one study. This is relevant because some studies suggest that lowering liver fat can help reduce insulin resistance and possibly reverse type 2 diabetes.
• Improves mineral absorption and bone health
Inulin has been shown in animal experiments to promote calcium and magnesium absorption, resulting in increased bone density. The human investigation has discovered similar advantages. Scientific data supports the hypothesis that inulin-type fructans can improve bone mineral density and calcium absorption, according to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) study.
Other benefits
• It is noted that the Triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly lower in females who took 10g of HP inulin for 8 weeks.
• Inulin may help protect colon cells, according to some studies. Because of the way inulin ferments into butyrate, this is the case. As a result, various research on its impact on colon health has been conducted.
• Inulin, as a prebiotic, may help with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by boosting gut flora and reducing inflammation in the gut.
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Side effects of Inulin
FODMAP intolerant people are more prone to encounter serious adverse effects. Those who are allergic to ragweed may find that consuming chicory inulin makes their symptoms worse. Additionally, persons who have a food allergy to inulin may have anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Other side effects are as follows:
• Loose stools and diarrhea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Bloating
• Flatulence (gas).
The last words
Many plants contain inulin, a form of soluble fiber. Inulin is a fructan as well. it’s prebiotic, like other fructans, which means it feeds the healthy bacteria in your stomach. Fructans are fructose molecule chains. The chemicals form a bond that the small is unable to break down. Instead, they make their way to the lower stomach, where they nourish the good bacteria there.
