Chicory inulin, also known as chicory root fibre, is a natural soluble dietary fibre. Plants make inulin as a reserve energy source. Inulin is already part of our daily diet for centuries, explains Sensus.
Health benefits
Chicory inulin is a functional food ingredient that can replace sugar and fat while improving taste and mouthfeel. It also promotes digestive health by enriching the fibre content of food. Moreover, it has a prebiotic effect, stimulating the production of beneficial bacteria in the colon. Our intestinal microbiota has an important role in regulating our immune system. Because chicory inulin has a low caloric value and promotes satiety, it can make a significant contribution to weight management.
Improved gut health
Chicory inulin promotes digestive health by enriching the fibre content of food. Moreover, it has a prebiotic effect, selectively stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon, while giving health benefits. This results in a balanced microbiome, leading to good bowel movement and digestion. Chicory inulin is recognised as the only plant-based prebiotic by The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). Research indicates that gut bacteria also has an effect on energy regulation, immune response and gut-brain interaction. Modifying the composition of the microbiome ultimately improves the human wellbeing.
Immunity
Increasing evidence emerges that soluble dietary fibres, like chicory inulin, used by our intestinal microbiota also have an important role in regulating our immune system. The intestinal immune system can interact with and be influenced by components of our diet. Consequently, the intestine is the site where soluble dietary fibres and prebiotics can exert their effects on the immune system. Consumption of soluble dietary fibres lead to increases in beneficial gut bacteria such as the bifidobacteria. These bacteria with the help of others give greater levels of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA). As these SCFA will be absorbed into the bloodstream, they will reach and positively affect other parts of our immune system.
Weight management
Chicory inulin is being widely used not only for its prebiotic health benefit but also for functional replacement of sugars and fats to achieve additional nutritional benefits such as reduced calories, reduced sugar and fat content. Because chicory inulin has a low caloric value, and promotes satiety, it can make a significant contribution to weight management. It is believed that the SCFA’s are involved in the regulation of hormones and signals that help control our appetite.
Creating healthier food products
Sensus brands Frutafit inulin and Frutalose oligofructose are functional ingredients extracted from chicory roots. These prebiotic dietary fibres provide health benefits with texturising properties and a neutral to sweet taste. Chicory inulin comes in a range of powders and liquids with different technological properties. Both powders and liquids have similar nutritional and health properties.
Both products are soluble dietary fibres with prebiotic properties and a low caloric value. The products are easy to use and can be added to common foods without affecting their taste. Chicory root fibres also have useful functional properties for food manufacturers, such as modifying texture, improving mouth feel, replacing sugar and fat, and gelling and water binding properties.
These functional ingredients are used all over the world to make a wide range of food products. Applications include dairy foods, bread and bakery products, confectionery, cereals and cereal bars, savoury, infant nutrition, nutraceuticals and beverages. New and innovative applications for chicory inulin are constantly being found.
