1. helps to control blood lipid: effectively reduce serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), increase the ratio of high-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein, and improve blood lipid.
2. Help lower blood sugar: Inulin is a carbohydrate, which will not lead to an increase in urine sugar. It will not hydrolyze into monosaccharide in the upper part of intestine, so it will not increase blood sugar level and insulin content. Now research shows that the decrease of fasting blood glucose is the result of short-chain fatty acids produced by fructooligosaccharides fermentation in colon.
3. Promote mineral absorption: Inulin can greatly improve the absorption of Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and other minerals. It is reported that teenagers eat 8 g/d (long and short chain inulin) for 8 weeks and 1 year respectively. The results show that the absorption of calcium is obviously improved, and the content and density of bone minerals in the body are also obviously increased.
4. Regulating intestinal flora: Inulin is a natural water-soluble dietary fiber, which is hardly hydrolyzed and digested by gastric acid and can only be used by beneficial microorganisms in the colon, thus improving the intestinal environment. Studies have shown that the proliferation degree of Bifidobacterium depends on the number of initial Bifidobacterium in human large intestine. When the initial number of Bifidobacterium decreases, the proliferation effect is obvious after using inulin, and when the initial number of Bifidobacterium is large, the effect is not obvious after using inulin. Secondly, inulin can enhance gastrointestinal peristalsis, improve gastrointestinal function, increase digestion and appetite, and improve immunity.
5. Prevention of constipation and treatment of obesity: Dietary fiber reduces the residence time of food in the gastrointestinal tract, increases the amount of feces, and effectively treats constipation. Its weight-reducing function is to increase the viscosity of the contents and reduce the speed of food entering the small intestine from the stomach, thus reducing hunger and reducing food intake.
But at the same time, inulin also has some side effects on the body.
1. Gastrointestinal discomfort: causing stomach cramps, diarrhea, flatulence, etc. Inulin, as a common water-soluble dietary fiber additive, is added to yogurt and oatmeal. It does have certain benefits. But at the same time, it also has many side effects, mainly the digestive system. Some people ingest inulin, which may cause stomach pain, flatulence, nausea and diarrhea. Some people even have allergic reactions. Side effects usually occur only when the intake is high, but children and the elderly with generally weak gastrointestinal function may also have the above problems when taking them normally. Moreover, inulin can not metabolize the liver, so it will have a certain burden on the liver.
2. Damage to the liver: When it is added to food as an additive, it is easy to ingest too much inulin, and the liver cannot metabolize it. Long-term intake is a great burden on the liver.
3. Some people have allergic reaction to inulin, and the symptoms vary from person to person: cough, dyspnea, etc.
Suggestion:
If it is a dietary fiber supplement, galactomannan is recommended. Not only water-soluble high fiber, prebiotics can also help the growth of intestinal flora, protect the intestine and not increase the burden on the liver. Galactomannan can absorb a lot of water, expand the volume, produce satiety, and establish a good environment for the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.