From the Guidelines
Inulin is a beneficial prebiotic that can support gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, and its use may be considered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to maintain remission, as suggested by recent studies 1.
Key Points
- Inulin is a naturally occurring polysaccharide present in many plants, most often extracted from chicory, and is considered both a soluble fiber and a prebiotic 1.
- The use of inulin as a prebiotic may have benefits in maintaining remission in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), as shown in studies where fructooligosaccharides, such as oligofructose-enriched inulin, were used 1.
- A typical recommended dose of inulin is 5-10 grams daily, which can be gradually increased to avoid initial digestive discomfort like gas or bloating.
- Inulin works by serving as food for beneficial gut bacteria, which ferment it to produce short-chain fatty acids that nourish colon cells, reduce inflammation, and help maintain proper pH in the intestines.
Benefits of Inulin
- Improves digestion
- Enhances mineral absorption
- Supports immune function
- Potentially helps with weight management by increasing feelings of fullness
- May reduce clinical activity in patients with mild to moderate UC and appears to be an effective therapy for the maintenance of remission in these patients 1.
Important Considerations
- Consistency is key - regular daily consumption for at least 2-4 weeks is typically needed to notice improvements in digestive health.
- Inulin is naturally found in foods such as chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, onions, and bananas, but is also available as a supplement in powder or capsule form.
- When using inulin powder, it can be easily mixed into beverages, yogurt, or oatmeal as it dissolves well and has a mildly sweet taste.
From the Research
Role of Inulin as a Prebiotic
- Inulin is recognized for its prebiotic action, enhancing the growth and functionality of Bifidobacterium bacteria, as well as its effect on host gene expression and metabolism 2
- Inulin-type fructans are utilized in the colon by bacterial fermentation to yield short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which play an important role in its biological effects both locally inside the gut and in systemic actions 2
- Prebiotics, including inulin-type fructans, promote the growth of specific beneficial gut bacteria, providing health benefits to the host, such as immune regulation and bacterial metabolite production 3
Health Benefits of Inulin
- Inulin supplementation has been shown to have preventive and/or therapeutic effects on various metabolic disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiometabolic diseases, kidney diseases, and hyperuricemia 2
- Inulin has a positive impact on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by modulating the trophic functions of the flora and enhancing the growth of indigenous lactobacilli and/or bifidobacteria 4
- Inulin-type prebiotics have been found to stimulate the growth of Bifidobacteria species, with a minimal dose needed to produce a bifidogenic effect 5
Effects of Inulin on Gut Microbiota
- Inulin treatment has been shown to modulate specific bacteria, associated with improvements in anthropometry, such as a decrease in Desulfovibrio and Clostridium sensu stricto 6
- A large increase in Bifidobacterium appears as a signature of inulin intake, rather than a driver of prebiotic-linked biological outcomes 6
- Inulin-enriched diet is able to promote weight loss in obese patients, with treatment efficiency related to gut microbiota characteristics 6