Soluble fiber is an important part of your diet and it can be found naturally in many foods. Different kinds of soluble fiber, such as inulin, are sometimes added to foods to increase their fiber content. There are many different benefits associated with consuming inulin, including maintaining your digestive health and reducing the levels of glucose and cholesterol in your blood.
What Is Inulin?
Inulin is a form of soluble fiber, which means that it swells when it comes into contact with water to develop a gel-like consistency. Inulin can be naturally found in many different foods, especially root vegetables. Onions, artichokes and garlic all contain significant amounts of inulin. It can also be found in wheat, bananas, leeks and asparagus. The root of the chicory plant is very high in inulin and sometimes the fiber from this root is extracted and used as a food additive.
Inulin and Bacteria
Your digestive tract contains bacteria that play an important role in the health of your gut. These bacteria help crowd out potentially infectious bacteria, reducing your risk of developing diarrhea. These bacteria also play an important role in digestion and the function of your immune system. Inulin is able to serve as a food source for these beneficial bacteria, and consuming more inulin can increase the levels of these bacteria, promoting the health of your digestive tract.
Mineral Absorption
The human body needs significant amounts of different kinds of minerals, including calcium and magnesium. The efficiency with which your intestines can absorb these minerals is important, because the more calcium and magnesium you can absorb, the less you need to get from dietary sources. According to an article in the "British Journal of Nutrition," inulin increases the absorption of calcium and magnesium in rats, suggesting that it could have a similar effect on humans.
Other Benefits
Eating inulin can have other benefits for you, as well. Inulin is able to reduce the levels of different lipids in your blood, such as triglycerides and cholesterol. Inulin may also improve the strength of your immune system. Also, inulin is slightly sweet but does not add any calories to your diet, which allows it to be incorporated into foods to change their taste without adding unnecessary calories.
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