Inulin
This ingredient can be found in: Pop A Purple | Pop A Green
Inulin is a prebiotic made from chicory root. A prebiotic is not digested by humans, but is a source of dietary fiber and a food source for beneficial gut bacteria, increasing the number of health-promoting bacteria and reducing the number of potentially disease-causing bacteria. Inulin selectively promotes the growth of bifidobacteria and to a lesser extent, other beneficial gut bacteria.
Through its action on gut bacteria, inulin can help control inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Conventional treatments for these debilitating conditions can cause serious side effects; however, people with these conditions have been shown to have reduced numbers of protective probiotic bacteria, such as bifidobacteria. These probiotics promote gastrointestinal health in part by preventing the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Besides improving inflammatory bowel diseases, inulin can reduce the risk of colon cancer.
There is now growing scientific evidence that consuming inulin lowers the risk of chronic disease, not just within the gastrointestinal tract but also systemically. For example, inulin used in infant formula improves gastrointestinal health, respiratory health, and reduces atopic dermatitis. Benefits continue in toddlers, who maintain gastrointestinal health, absorb calcium better, and have fewer fevers when consuming inulin after weaning.
Inulin supplements have been found to increase calcium absorption in adolescents, young adults and even in older women at risk for osteoporosis. Calcium requirement is high even into adulthood and many sedentary adults eating a typical diet are deficient in calcium. Calcium is important not only for strong bones and teeth, but is essential for many of the body’s metabolic processes, such as muscle and nerve function, blood clotting, and healthy blood vessels and cellular membranes.
Inulin may have special benefits as we age. Death due to gastrointestinal infections is up to 400 times higher in the elderly compared with younger adults. The populations of gut bacteria are different in old age. Recent studies have shown that inulin-type can alter the bacterial populations and may reduce the risk of disease.
Inulin also enhances magnesium absorption and can help regulate the appetite through a biological connection between the gut and the brain. Inulin can lower blood triglycerides and appears to help normalize cholesterol levels, possibly offering protection against cardiovascular disease.
References
- Coxam V. Current data with inulin-type fructans and calcium, targeting bone health in adults. J Nutr. 2007 Nov;137(11 Suppl):2527S-2533S. View Source
- Guarner F. Inulin and Oligofructose: Health Benefits and Claims-A Critical Review.Studies with Inulin-Type Fructans on Intestinal Infections, Permeability, and Inflammation. 2007 American Society for Nutrition J. Nutr. 137:2568S-2571Shttp://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/137/11/2568S
- Leenen CH, Dieleman LA. Inulin and oligofructose in chronic inflammatory bowel disease. J Nutr. 2007 Nov;137(11 Suppl):2572S-2575S. View Source
- Roberfroid MB. Inulin-type fructans: functional food ingredients. J Nutr. 2007 Nov;137(11 Suppl):2493S-2502S. View Source
- Tuohy KM. Inulin-type fructans in healthy aging. J Nutr. 2007 Nov;137(11 Suppl):2590S-2593S. View Source
- Veereman G. Pediatric applications of inulin and oligofructose. J Nutr. 2007 Nov;137(11 Suppl):2585S-2589S. View Source




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