We currently consume very little fiber, and therefore inulin, which can be found in artichokes or onions. When we ask a doctor or dietician, they tell us that low fiber intake is one of the biggest nutritional problems. At the same time, fiber intake is very important because almost every part of our body uses it directly or indirectly.
What is fiber and what are its properties?
Fiber is a complex of polysaccharides that is not broken down by enzymes and is only food for the beneficial bacteria living in our intestines. If we want to have healthy intestinal flora, which is able to reduce the risk of certain cancers (such as colon and rectal cancer), then consuming fiber is important for daily supplementation of intestinal flora with probiotics. Inulin in particular supports the multiplication and metabolism of bifidobacteria, but of course other strains of bacteria can also benefit from it.
Inulin helps with constipation and prevents diarrhea.
Eating the right kind of fiber, in the right quality (with adequate water intake) can help ease gut problems. This is common in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), where you have alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation, but constipation is also common in children and the elderly. Because inulin absorbs water, it adds bulk to the stool, speeding its passage through the intestines, and also softens it so that the stool can pass more easily, reducing the chance of hemorrhoids. This same ability of inulin to absorb water is useful in relieving diarrhea symptoms. Diarrhea is caused by excess water in the intestines, which happens for a reason. This increases pressure on the intestinal walls. Inulin absorbs excess water, “thickening” the stool and slowing its movement.
Inulin for healthy bones
Water-soluble inulin may also be useful in protecting our bones. Does that sound strange? But it still makes sense, and a growing body of research shows that people who supplement with inulin can absorb more calcium and magnesium from their gut. This has been confirmed in adolescents, post-menopausal women, and young men. Increased calcium absorption contributes to increased bone mass in adolescents and slows bone loss in adulthood. Part of the reason is that calcium is more easily absorbed from a solution with a higher water content, and part of the reason is that inulin helps maintain an acidic pH in the gut flora, which also facilitates mineral absorption.
The beneficial effect of inulin on cholesterol and blood sugar
Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, and regulating polysaccharide metabolism are interconnected mechanisms in our body, and fiber such as inulin plays an important role in their healthy functioning. The increase in volume caused by water absorption contributes to a feeling of satiety, thanks to which we consume less energy, which helps us achieve our desired body weight. Inulin slows down the absorption of polysaccharides, so that the sugar level does not rise rapidly, but gradually over a longer period of time, thanks to which it not only contributes to the control of polysaccharide metabolism, but also to the success of a reducing diet by acting prophylactically against fluctuating sugar levels.
Although a healthy body weight and polysaccharide metabolism can go a long way toward protecting against cardiovascular disease, inulin has a direct effect. Several clinical studies have shown that inulin can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which are directly related to the development of atherosclerosis. Patients with type 2 diabetes have shown significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, even when consuming 7-8 g of inulin per day!
Pure Inulin Calivita – pure chicory inulin
How to dose inulin Pure Inulin
Daily dosage of inulin: from 3 years of age – 1 teaspoon; 4-9 years – 2 teaspoons; >10 years of age – up to 3 teaspoons.
Pure Inulin can be added to food or drink. We recommend gradually increasing the dose, starting with 1 teaspoon per day, until you reach the recommended dose.
