Inulin
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Form: Powder
Food source: Range of fruit and vegetables including onions, garlic, wheat, bananas, leeks, artichokes and asparagus.
Benefits of Inulin
- Gut health
- Relieves bloating
- Healthy skin
- Strengthens immune system
- Mental performance
What is Inulin?
To understand why Inulin is so important, one needs to learn about ‘prebiotics’ and ‘probiotics’. Our gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, from bacteria to parasites and even fungi. Some of these are ‘good’ as our bodies need them, others are not good and can cause a range of illnesses. These ‘good’ bacteria are called ‘probiotics’ and a whole range of bodily systems rely on them - they help with the digestion of food by producing digestive enzymes, support the immune system, promote effective detoxification, help to maintain healthy skin and create neurotransmitters when they travel to the brain, and much more. Our gut and our brain are connected via 'the gut-brain axis' and the importance of probiotics to our gut health and overall health is why our gut is our 'second brain'.
These probiotics feed on compounds called ‘prebiotics’ and Inulin is one of the best prebiotics. Our bodies don’t digest Inulin itself, but it provides an excellent source of quality fibre as a food source for the probiotics that we rely on. This means that Inulin is associated with a range of health benefits as it allows the probiotics in our gut to multiply and thrive.
A healthy community of probiotics can prevent harmful bacteria from attaching themselves to the gut wall, helping to relieve the symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) such as constipation, bloating and gas. Inulin also stimulates the growth of helpful bacteria, particularly the genus Bifidobacterium which can contribute to preventing diarrhoea, reducing cholesterol and synthesising important vitamins. Learn about the ‘6 signs of an unhealthy gut’.
As well as maintaining the healthy functioning of our gut, when probiotics are in abundant numbers, they have a beneficial effect on our skin. Probiotics produce short-chain fatty acids which are absorbed in the gut and are used in the skin to provide moisture and plumpness, help improve a range of skin conditions, as well as support brain function. To be active and healthy, probiotics need a regular source of prebiotic fibres, such as Inulin.
Discover ‘Latest gut health research: IBS causes & symptoms revealed’.
