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» What is Inulin?
Inulin is a carbohydrate belonging to a class of compounds known as fructans and is closely related to fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). Both of these are starches (carbohydrates) but vary in structure. Inulin is found naturally in starchy roots belonging to plants such as chicory and Jerusalem artichokes.
» How is Inulin Powder made?
Inulin powder is the result of a five stage process wherein chicory roots are washed and sliced and the preferred long chain members of the Inulin family extracted. The Inulin extract then goes through refining, evaporation and crystallization to form an Inulin powder free of impurities and ionic contaminants.
Inulin Powder’s flavour ranges from bland to subtly sweet (about 10% of the sweetness of sugar / sucrose). It may be used to replace sugar, fat and flour.
» What are the benefits of Inulin consumption?
Inulin has many reputed health benefits. It increases calcium absorption¹ and possibly magnesium absorption². Also, because Inulin isn't digested in the upper gastrointestinal tract, it reaches the large intestine intact where it is fermented by your native bacteria, feeding and promoting their growth, improving bowel function and, by extension, host health.
Recent studies have also suggested the role Inulin plays in decreasing the body's ability to make and metabolise certain types of fat³.
In terms of nutrition, Inulin is considered a form of soluble fibre and is sometimes categorized as a prebiotic.
Due to the body's limited ability to process fructans, inulin has minimal impact on blood sugar and is considered suitable for diabetics and potentially helpful in managing blood sugar-related illnesses
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¹ Abrams S, Griffin I, Hawthorne K, Liang L, Gunn S, Darlington G, Ellis K (2005). "A combination of prebiotic short- and long-chain inulin-type fructans enhances calcium absorption and bone mineralization in young adolescents". Am J Clin Nutr 82 (2): 471–6.
² Coudray C, Demigné C, Rayssiguier Y (2003). "Effects of dietary fibers on magnesium absorption in animals and humans". J Nutr 133 (1): 1–4.
³ Mie Nishimuraa (2015) 'Effects of the extract from roasted chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) root containing inulin-type fructans on blood glucose, lipid metabolism, and fecal properties ', Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 5(3), pp. 161-167.