Q. I’ve seen Inulin listed on the ingredient label of some nutrition and protein bars. What is this stuff?
A. Inulin, also known as oligofructose, is similar to a product called Fibersol and is starting to appear in all the best designed nutrition bars. It is a new way of increasing the fibre content of a bar, adding sweetness, reducing the fat and calorie content, while also increasing the health benefits. Although the name is similar to insulin, Inulin has no connection with that hormone, either chemically, or through its effect on your blood sugar levels.
As an all-natural food ingredient, Inulin is often used to enrich breakfast cereals, and has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. A recent Italian study at the University of Milan showed that after consuming a breakfast cereal fortified with Inulin for just four weeks, total cholesterol dropped by almost 10%. Total triglyceride levels dropped by over 20%.
As a natural dietary fibre found in more than 36,000 plants and foods, such as artichokes, asparagus, and bananas, Inulin is classed as a prebiotic. There are at least six types of fibre handled differently by your body, and they all make a different contribution to your health. Some work within the gut, others have important effects elsewhere in the body. Inulin is broken down by enzymes produced by bacteria that live in your colon. A low intake of prebiotics leads to increased numbers of disease-causing bacteria in the gut, which could be the cause of many gastrointestinal and other health complaints, such as bad breath, acne and poor skin health. In simple terms, Inulin will increase the activity of the “good” bacteria (such as bifidobacterium, eubacterium and lactobacillus) and help prevent the growth of “bad” bacteria (clostridium, shigella, and veillonella) in your digestive tract.
For instance, when subjects in one trial were given Inulin each day for fifteen days, levels of lactobacillus (good bacteria) increased by about 10%. As a prebiotic, Inulin differs from a probiotic because it stimulates the growth of good bacteria in your gut. A probiotic, on the other hand, provides the bacteria externally in the form of food (such as live yoghurt and acidophillus capsules). Inulin is also a good source of dietary fibre, helping to reduce the digestion time and therefore glycemic index level. This is well suited for people wanting to lose weight because it does not increase glucose or insulin level in the blood.
Other benefits of Inulin supplementation include increased absorption of calcium and magnesium and improved elimination of toxic compounds. The positive effects of Inulin on calcium absorption was shown recently by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. They found that subjects on a high calcium diet absorb approximately 18% more calcium if their drinks are supplemented with Inulin. Inulin is also popular as it does not cause wind, like other fibres such as guar gum, thus making squats more enjoyable for your training partners.
As you can see, the benefits of Inulin extend far beyond an improved taste and reduced calorie content. Promax Meal bars (Maximuscle) are one of the very few nutrition bars available to contain Inulin. But, whatever bars you decide to eat, look out for these special health fibres.
| Comments |
|