What is Inulin? (April 2008)

Inulin has been added to various foods lately. Clients have been asking me about it in my private practice and I thought it would be great to discuss what it is. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in your gut. It can add bulk to many foods without contributing many calories (less than 1.5 per gram), manufactures have started using it to replace some of the sugar and fat in products like yogurt, cookies and granola. Not only could inulin help you increase the amount of calcium, magnesium, and iron your body absorbs, it also may help lower your cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition. If you decide to try new foods with inulin (which could be listed on a label as chicory root), introduce them slowly, as some people have reported mild abdominal discomfort.