Inulin is a natural anti-constipation food

Speaking of inulin, don't misunderstand that it is a powder processed from chrysanthemum. In fact, inulin has nothing to do with chrysanthemum. It is a white powder extracted from the root of a natural plant called chicory. Chicory has a long history of cultivation in our country. Because its roots look like ginger, the common people usually call it "foreign ginger". Chicory has a crisp taste and a slightly sweet taste, so it is often used as a raw material for pickles. For example, the famous Yangzhou mixed pickles contain chicory. Inulin is actually a fructan type polysaccharide substance. Since inulin will not be decomposed and absorbed in the digestive tract, taking inulin will not cause blood sugar to rise. But inulin will quickly form a gelatinous substance when it encounters moisture in the digestive tract. Studies have confirmed that although inulin is not decomposed and absorbed by the human digestive system, it can be used by probiotics such as bifidobacteria in the colon and converted into various "short-chain fatty acids" (such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, etc.) These short-chain fatty acids can inhibit the growth of intestinal spoilage bacteria and lower the pH of the intestines, increase the acidity of the intestines, and ultimately soften the stool and smoothly excrete it. This is the main reason why taking inulin can fight constipation.

According to a report in the American Journal of Practical Nutrition published in 2015, regular consumption of inulin can reduce the rate at which carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, thereby helping to control the occurrence of postprandial hyperglycemia. Therefore, inulin can affect patients with type 2 diabetes or blood sugar. For those who are on the high side, it is also a natural auxiliary hypoglycemic food that balances blood sugar levels. In addition, there are reports abroad that long-term use of inulin can reduce the accumulation of abdominal fat and reduce weight.

Foreign food researchers concluded that the main functions of inulin are: 1. As a low-calorie sweetener; 2. Lowering blood lipids; 3. Regulating the structure of the intestinal flora, increasing the number of probiotics such as bifidobacteria; 4. Inhibiting the intestines The amount of toxic fermentation products can promote defecation and increase the acidity of feces; 5. Prevent the occurrence of colon cancer; 6. Increase the absorption rate of calcium, magnesium, iron and other trace elements in the intestine by 20% (this may be related to the increase in inulin in the intestine The acidity is related to the acidity, because trace elements such as calcium, magnesium and iron are more easily absorbed into the blood in acidic media).

In fact, many kinds of plants contain inulin ingredients, including: chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, agave, yam, banana, onion, garlic, asparagus, shallots, leeks, wheat, etc., but the inulin content of chicory and Jerusalem artichoke It is the highest (according to the analysis, the highest inulin content of chicory can reach 35% ~ 38%), followed by garlic and onion heads, which contain 10% ~ 16% inulin. Other plants generally contain no more than 10% inulin. Therefore, most of the commercially available inulin is extracted from chicory or Jerusalem artichoke. Junmen inulin is extracted from natural chicory, so it is pure natural and healthy.

By the way, the calories of inulin is 1.5 calories per gram, which is much lower than white sugar, and white sugar is a "disaccharide", which can be quickly broken down into glucose and fructose after entering the digestive tract (the former can quickly raise blood sugar) . Since inulin is a natural polysaccharide, it will not be decomposed into monosaccharides by enzymes after entering the digestive tract to raise blood sugar. According to foreign researchers, the adult dosage of inulin is 8 grams per day. If inulin is taken in large amounts, it will cause side effects such as abdominal distension or diarrhea.