Inulin is a soluble dietary fibre. It is a type of carbohydrate, a non-digestible oligosaccharide. Rather than being digested the way most carbohydrates are, inulin is fermented in the lower parts of the intestinal tract into friendly intestinal micro flora (bifidobacterium).

Where it comes from

Inulin occurs naturally in large quantities in some of the most famous herbs, such as burdock root, dandelion root, elecampane root and chicory root. It is soluble only in hot water, which is why it has traditionally been consumed in hot teas.

The importance of Inulin

Vicki Koenig in her article: “Inulin: A Prebiotic” published on Stonyfield.com, notes that: “It is estimated that Americans eat less than 3 grams of inulin per day. This is significantly less than sixteenth century Europeans {who} consumed about 35 g of inulin daily, while 19th century Central Europeans consumed up to 100g daily.” This could be as a result of changes to the modern diet which exclude many natural products in favour of processed foods.

In the same article Vicki Koenig also notes that: “Inulin doesn’t raise blood sugar or require insulin to metabolize it. Despite its similarity in spelling to insulin, Inulin has no connection to the hormone. Inulin has been called a fat substitute as well as a sugar substitute, but it’s not an artificial chemical”. This makes it a desirable alternative to sugar for diabetics.

The need to include inulin in our diet is highlighted by scientific studies which indicate that the human physiological effects of the prebiotic Inulin are likely to be:

• Improved fat metabolism: there is preliminary evidence of a triglyceride-reducing effect of Inulin and possible reduction of the risk of colon cancer.
• Improved bioavailability of minerals such as calcium that, among other things, may contribute to a reduction of osteoporosis.
• Improved bowel functions mainly due to the increase of fecal bulk material.

Inulin, aiding serum lipids control

In their article “Effect of consumption of a ready to eat breakfast cereal containing Inulin on the intestinal milieu and blood lipids in healthy male volunteers” published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition – 1999 (September) Brighenti et al observed significant reductions of serum total cholesterol (8.2%; P<0.005; no effect on HDL cholesterol) and triglycerides (26.5%; P<0.005) in 12 healthy young ormolipidemic men after consuming 9g/day of Inulin with their breakfast cereal for 4 weeks.

Because there is a correlation between average serum lipid level and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), Inulin laden foods could prove a tool in preventing Cardio vascular disease.

Cancer preventing properties of Inulin

In his article “Inulin” published in the digest Medical Herbalism: A Journal for the Herbal Practitioner 1997 Paul Bergen quotes studies undertaken by GA Spiller in 1994 where : “Subjects in trial were given 15 grams of inulin a day for fifteen days. Lactobacillus bifidobacteria increased by about 10% during that period. Gram-Positive bacterial associated with disease declined. Bifidobacteria digest inulin to produce short chain fatty-acids, such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acid has cancer- preventing properties within the intestine.”

Research in this field continues but indications are that Inulin could be a means of preventing cancer.

Inulin and improved mineral absorption

In a paper on the Physiological properties of Inulin on Inulinplaza.com the author states that: “Regular consumption of Inulin – as such or in foods – will likely contribute to increasing fibre intake towards publicly recommended levels.” This information is the result of physiological research which indicated that: “In your colon, dietary Inulin is totally fermented by the natural micro flora to yield short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lactic acid. Any Inulin-mineral complexes are degraded during fermentation, liberating the minerals and thus making them available for bio-absorption.”

To provide you with more information about these food ingredients we have put together a list of links that you may find useful.