General Health

Inulin

August 16, 2019

335

For Educational Purposes only

In today’s world the word dietary fiber gets tossed around all the time. But what does this word actually mean? What is dietary fiber? Dietary fiber is defined as the indigestible portion of food derived from plants. It can come in soluble and insoluble forms¹. An excellent example of dietary fiber is inulin. Inulin is a naturally occurring plant-based prebiotic. You can find inulin everywhere you turn, as it is in bananas, garlic and wheat. Inulin is a great “bang for your buck” as it is low in calories, and has high fiber content. Along with the foods mentioned above, inulin can be found in agave, asparagus, yams, leeks, artichokes, and chicory root. Due to inulin’s consistency, it can also be utilized as a substitute for margarine or used as a base in salad dressing. Fiber promotes healthy gut motility because it is able to slow the digestive process. Along with slowing things down a bit, inulin is able to increase the feeling of fullness, and reducing cholesterol levels². The best advantage to inulin is its ability to promote the growth of probiotic bacteria.

Genus Lactobacilli, and Bifidobacteria are the most enhanced when exposed to inulin. Increasing these types of bacteria has a multitude of benefits to your overall health. These types of bacteria are commonly used in probiotic supplements, as they have been scientifically proven to add the most benefit to your health.

More probiotic bacteria means there is less room for the bad bacteria in your gut, and it has been shown that adding these bacteria into your gut can enhance your immune function. As food moves through the bowel a bit more slowly, the body is better able to absorb nutrients. Looking for an inulin supplement? Inulin is available in powder and capsules. The recommended dosage for inulin is around 3 grams per day³. Inulin supplements are great at promoting your digestive health, especially if you are currently taking an antibiotic. The benefits of inulin are not limited to digestive health! Studies have found that those taking a daily supplement of inulin are less hungry, and happier than those not taking inulin⁴ . You don’t need to worry about any adverse side effects, as any amount of inulin is safe for human consumption, and allergic reactions to inulin are extremely rare.Worst case scenario for adverse side effects is difficult bowel movements, excessive gas,or loose stool. If you have irritable bowel syndrome or any other digestive disorder talk to your doctor before incorporating anything into your daily routine. Make sure to drink lots of water with inulin, as this will prevent constipation.

Sponsor: Kibow Biotech®