What is inulin?

 Inulin, also known as inulin, is a polysaccharide naturally found in plants and also a soluble dietary fiber
.
It exists in many common plants, such as onions, garlic, asparagus, leeks, dandelions, bananas, and wheat
.
It is called "inulin" because it is abundantly present in the roots of asteraceae plants such as chicory and Jerusalem artichoke
.
 As a member of dietary fiber, inulin is not easily digested and absorbed by the stomach and small intestine.
It can directly enter the large intestine and be decomposed and utilized by the beneficial bacteria in the intestine to improve the intestinal environment and promote defecation.
In addition, inulin cannot be Stomach digests, but it absorbs water and expands in the stomach, enhances the feeling of fullness, can prolong the emptying time of the stomach, and make people less likely to feel hunger, thereby reducing food intake, so it is conducive to weight control to a certain extent
.
In addition, inulin also has the functions of promoting mineral absorption and regulating blood lipids
.
 At present, inulin is widely used in the food industry
.
For example, inulin will become viscous when dissolved in water.
Inulin is often added to yogurt to adjust its consistency.
Moreover, inulin can form a gel after dissolving in water, which can provide a cream-like taste.
Inulin is often used.
Used in cream, ice cream, cheese and other products; In addition, inulin itself has a certain sweetness and contains low calories, so inulin is often used as a sugar substitute for chocolate products
.
China treats inulin as a new resource food management, which can be used in other foods except infant food, and the daily intake does not exceed 15 grams
.