Inulin Prebiotic Fibre Supplement
Chicory Inulin is a proven prebiotic fibre. Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates that pass intact through the small intestine and reach the large intestine undigested.
Chicory is a perennial plant of the dandelion family that grows in its wild form in many areas of the country. The root of the chicory plant stores the carbohydrate energy known as inulin. Inulin is also a storage carbohydrate in onions, bananas, artichokes, yacon and more. Inulin has been consumed since ancient times. In the time of ‘gatherers and hunters’ the daily intake was calculated by paleontologists at about 135 g per day.
Chicory root fiber is an umbrella term for long- and short-chain inulin. The short-chain inulin, aka oligofructose or fructose-oligosaccharide (FOS) is derived from inulin with an enzyme that naturally also exists in the chicory root. This process occurs in the mature chicory root.
Not all dietary fibers are the same. Fermentation of fibers is the key to many health benefits. Some fibers, like cellulose are not fermentable, lead to increased bulk in the intestine and are excreted through the feces. Others, are partly fermentable only. While they are fermented by gut bacteria, they do not necessarily increase the population of good bacteria, like bifidobacteria. Chicory root fibers, like inulin and oligofructose, are completely fermented in the colon by gut bacteria and lead to a selective increase in bifidobacteria. Bifidobacteria and some other bacteria strains break down chicory root fiber by saccharolytic fermentation which leads to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), i.e. acetate, propionate and butyrate
Chicory Inulin Benefits
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Naturally and gently extracted from the chicory root
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Completely fermented in the colon leading to a selective increase in bifidobacteria increasing the production of the short-chain fatty acids acetate, propionate and butyrate.
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Clinically proven with the the strongest evidence base of all prebiotics with 24 human intervention studies and a research base spanning over 20 years
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Improves bowel habits and gently maintains bowel regularity
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Systemic effects beyond the gastrointestinal tract
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Helps increase satiety naturally and therefore promotes healthy weight loss
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Lowers blood glucose response and associated insulin response
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Improves calcium absorption with associated improvements in bone health
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Supports the immune system
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Safe and well tolerated in all age groups
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Well tolerated, even in IBS patients.