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Polysaccharides pp 675–715Cite as

Inulin and Health Benefits

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Abstract

Inulin-type fructans are prebiotic dietary fibers, naturally occurring in numerous plants. The chicory root with its high content of inulin-type fructans is the most common basis for gaining inulin from the plant. The process applied is a hot water extraction. This means, contrary to a number of commercially available dietary fibers, inulin is not synthesized but occurs naturally and was eaten by mankind 100,000 years ago. The colon, the main place of action of inulin-type fructans, is a highly active metabolic organ, containing an excessively complex collection of microbes. Inulin-type fructans are nondigestible in the small intestine and fermented in the large intestine, resulting in modifications in the colonic microbiota composition, towards a healthier pattern, and in the production of several metabolites. Thereby, they are among the very few scientifically proven prebiotics. Several health effects are related to this activity in the colon. They may range from local effects, starting with improvement of bowel movement, effects related to local immunity, to more systemic benefits for the body, as a result of the metabolic events, like weight and blood sugar management and bone health. This book chapter aims at providing a comprehensive review of the physiology related to inulin-type fructans and the health benefits related to this. Current developments in understanding the role of the microbiota in health and disease will probably also further contribute to understanding these complex influences originating from the gut and the role “colonic nutrients” such as prebiotic dietary fibers may play therein.

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Abbreviations

BB-12:

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12

BMC:

Bone mineral content

BMD:

Bone mineral density

BMI:

Body mass index

CHD:

Coronary heart disease

DPP-4:

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4

EFSA:

European food safety authority

EU:

European union

FOS:

Fructooligosaccharides

GALT:

Gut-associated lymphoid tissue

GDP:

Gross domestic product

GLP-1:

Glucagon-like peptide-1

GLP-2:

Glucagon-like peptide 2

GPR41 43:

G protein-coupled receptors 41, 43

GR:

Glycemic response

HOMA-IR:

Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance

hs-CRP:

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein

IASO:

International Association for the Study of Obesity

IBD:

Inflammatory bowel disease

IGN:

Intestinal gluconeogenesis

IOF:

International Osteoporosis Foundation

IoM:

Institute of medicine

IOTF:

International Obesity Task Force

ISAPP:

International Scientific Association for probiotics and prebiotics

Lc:

Long chain

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

MAF:

Mucosa associated flora

NASH:

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

NCDs:

Noncommunicable diseases

NDA:

Dietetic products nutrition and allergies

NEC:

Necrotizing enterocolitis

PYY:

Peptide YY

Sc:

Short chain

SCFA:

Short-chain fatty acid

TH1 2:

T-helper 1, 2

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha

US:

United States

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BENEO Institute, c/o Beneo GmbH, Gottlieb-Daimler-Str.12, 68165, Mannheim, Germany

    Matthias Moser, Anke Sentko & Hélène Alexiou

  2. Department Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition Communication, BENEO GmbH, Wormser Str. 11, 67283, Obrigheim, Germany

    Anke Sentko

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  1. Matthias Moser
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  2. Anke Sentko
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  3. Hélène Alexiou
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Correspondence to Matthias Moser .

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  1. Botany Department, M.L.Sukhadia University, Udaipur, India

    Kishan Gopal Ramawat

  2. Groupe d’Etude des Substances Végétales à Activité Biologique, Université de Bordeaux, Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin, Villenave d'Ornon, France

    Jean-Michel Mérillon

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Moser, M., Sentko, A., Alexiou, H. (2015). Inulin and Health Benefits. In: Ramawat, K., Mérillon, JM. (eds) Polysaccharides. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16298-0_37

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