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Keto Zone Blog

Top 7 Health Benefits of Inulin Fiber

Are you taking a daily dose of inulin?

If you’re using Keto Zone MCT Oil Powder, you certainly are.

If not, you’re missing out.

What is inulin and why should you add it?

Here’s everything you need to know about the health benefits of inulin and how you can add it with Keto Zone MCT Oil Powder.

What is Inulin?

Inulin is a prebiotic fiber. Prebiotic fibers feed the healthy bacteria and cells in our digestive tracts.

These bacteria, whether already in the gut or consumed via foods or probiotic supplements, need a food source to proliferate.

Insulin fits the bill.

Where is Inulin Found?

In nature, inulin is found in many plants and is most often derived from chicory root. It is made up of fructose molecules linked by bonds human digestive tracts cannot break down and digest.

In this way, it is not a nutritive carbohydrate or calorie. Instead, it is consumed by healthy bacteria and converted into a short-chain fatty acid that further nourishes colon cells (1).

Some excellent natural sources of inulin include (per 3.5 oz.) (2):

  • Chicory root (36-48 grams)
  • Asparagus (2-3 grams)
  • Garlic (9-16 grams)
  • Jerusalem artichoke (16-20 grams)
  • Jicama (10-13 grams)
  • Onions (1-8 grams)
  • Yacon root (7-8 grams)
  • Wild yams, bananas, artichokes (lesser amounts)

Supplemental Sources of Inulin

Nowadays, inulin is added to foods and supplements to both provide health benefits and product improvements. It is found in protein bars, cereal bars, yogurt, and other products.

In manufacturing, it is typically found in these forms as native chicory, oligofructose, high-performance inulin, and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) (3).

For example, it is used in Keto Zone MCT Oil Powder providing 3 grams of inulin fiber per serving. Inulin provides 1) a great texture and consistency, and 2) many health benefits. Unfortunately, lesser supplements use chemical anti-caking agents and additives. It’s important to always look through ingredients in supplements.

What health benefits does the inulin in Keto Zone MCT Oil Powder provide?

Top 10 Health Benefits of Inulin

1.Promotes Weight Loss and Curbs Appetite

For those looking to lose weight, one of the greatest inulin health benefits is its help with weight loss as supported by multiple studies (4, 5).

In fact, in one study, the inulin group lost 2 pounds while the control group gained 1. While consuming 21 grams of inulin per day, the inulin group experienced lower hunger-hormone levels and increased fullness(5).

2. Optimal Blood Sugars and Improved Diabetes Control

For those with diabetes and prediabetes, several studies on inulin suggest it may help optimize blood sugars(6789).

How?

First, as a fiber, it slows digestion to reduce blood sugar spikes.

Second, it has been shown to actually decrease fat in the livers of people with prediabetes (6). Reducing liver fat can reduce insulin resistance and may help reverse diabetes (10).

What’s more, another study showed that 10 grams of High-Performance inulin per day reduced fasting blood by an average of 8.5% and HgbA1C by an average of 10.5% (7).

3. Improves Digestive Health and Relieves Constipation

Healthy gut bacteria are at the center of overall health.

Of course, they directly impact digestion.

For example, one 4-week study found that 15 grams of inulin per day improved constipation in older adults (9).

Insulin promotes healthy gut bacteria balance and stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria. When beneficial bacteria proliferate, yeast overgrowth is inhibited, digestion improves, and the immune systems is supported (1112).

4. Inulin Promotes Keto Zone Eating by Replacing High-Carbohydrate Thickeners

Inulin improves the texture of manufactured foods.

You can use it in home cooking as well.

Use inulin in Keto Zone recipes to thicken sauces, soups, condiments and more. Stir it into a warm liquid and continue stirring until slightly thickened.

5. May Improve Triglyceride and Cholesterol Levels

Inulin may improve several markers for heart health. Lab animal studies have found that it reduces blood triglycerides and cholesterol (1314).

What’s more, some human studies support this conclusion and have shown significant decreases in both triglycerides and LDL cholesterol (15).

6. May Support Bone Health

Bone health depends on the efficient absorption of minerals, including calcium and magnesium.

Lab studies have found that inulin improves the absorption of both, resulting in improved bone density (2526).

What’s more, studies of children (ages 9-13) have shown better calcium absorption and bone mineralization when taking inulin (16, 17).

7. May Reduce Incidence of Colon Cancer

Studies have supported inulin as an anti-colon cancer agent.

A review of 12 animal studies found that 88% of the groups given inulin saw a reduction in precancerous colon growths (18).

In terms of human studies, one promising experiment showed that inulin caused the colon environment to be less favorable for cancer cells (19).

Is Inulin Safe?

The safety of inulin has been studied extensively.

For most people, it’s completely safe.

For those who have experienced small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, there may be side effects. Also rarely, those allergic to ragweed may experience worsening symptoms from inulin (20).

But overall, inulin is safe and beneficial in reasonable doses.

Bottom Line

Inulin is a safe and extremely beneficial prebiotic fiber. Keto Zone MCT Oil Powder is a great source that provides the many health benefits of inulin. In addition, Keto Zone MCT Oil Powder provides all the benefits of MCT oil in a delicious creamer for your coffee.

 

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