Inulin, Gut Microbes, and Health
Inulins, the β-(2,1)-fructans extracted on industrial scale from chicory roots [1] and present in many other plants [2], are interesting carbohydrates that exhibit a variety of physiological e¬ects and potential health bene ts. Being nondigestible-the β(2,1)-bond cannot be hydrolyzed in our digestiv...
Saved in:
Published in | Dietary Fiber and Health pp. 188 - 203 |
---|---|
Format | Book Chapter |
Language | English |
Published |
United Kingdom
CRC Press
2012
Taylor & Francis Group |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | Inulins, the β-(2,1)-fructans extracted on industrial scale from chicory roots [1]
and present in many other plants [2], are interesting carbohydrates that exhibit
a variety of physiological e¬ects and potential health bene
ts. Being nondigestible-the β(2,1)-bond cannot be hydrolyzed in our digestive system-these
ingredients are dietary
bers with the associated physiological e¬ects. ´is
means that they have a positive e¬ect on bowel habits, as they improve frequency
of defecation and stool consistency, and that they may lower serum lipids as other
soluble
bers will also do. In addition, they have a low glycemic and insulinemic response and a low caloric value, and may increase feelings of satiety with
a possible e¬ect on food and energy intake. Inulin and oligofructose share these
important features with many other dietary
bers [3-5]. ´ere is still discussion whether fermentation in the colon is a bene
cial physiological e¬ect, but it
becomes now accepted that it is important for colonic health and thus should be
considered as a bene
cial e¬ect of
bers [6,7]. |
---|---|
ISBN: | 9781439899298 1439899290 |
DOI: | 10.1201/b12156-16 |