Collagen, inulin, prebiotics & gut health

Inulin is a water-soluble dietary fiber (prebiotic) with positive effects on the intestinal microbiome (intestinal flora) and your overall intestinal health. It is also believed to help regulate fat metabolism and blood sugar and relieve constipation, to name a few examples.

Plants naturally produce inulin and use it as an energy source - inulin is found in 36,000 different plant species. Inulin is considered a prebiotic and is often added to more and more food products thanks to its benefits.

Read on to learn more about this source of fiber and how it can benefit you and your gut health

In which foods and dietary supplements is inulin?

Inulin is found naturally in foods and dietary supplements such as:

• Jerusalem artichoke

• Chicory root

• Onion

• garlic

• Grain

• The collagen complex Collagen prebiotics with glutamine (prebiotics from chicory)

Benefits of inulin

Inulin contains a lot of fiber and few calories. But it also has other health benefits.

Fiber keeps you full

Fiber is all types of carbohydrates that the body cannot digest/break down. They move intact through the intestines and continue into the colon to serve as food for the bacteria there. Fibers are low in calories, and they are important for good health.

The fibers in inulin are soluble, which means they dissolve in water. It dissolves in the stomach and then forms a jelly-like substance like:

• Slows down digestion
• Increases fullness
• Reduces cholesterol absorption as it passes through the digestive tract

Inulin promotes digestive health

A typical human gut microbiome is estimated to harbor at least 1,800 genera and approximately 15,000–36,000 bacterial species that have evolved in a symbiotic relationship with the human body. The human gut, with an estimated surface area of ​​200–300 square meters, provides a nutrient-rich environment for approximately 100 trillion microbes that encode 100 times more unique genes than our human genome encodes. The healthy colon alone hosts the overwhelming majority (up to 70%) of the microbial community found in our bodies.

But only a small proportion of the bacteria in the body have the potential to be harmful. Good bacteria provide many health benefits. Inulin stimulates some of these bacteria to grow.

Inulin facilitates digestion by increasing the number of good bacteria in the gut, especially bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. These bacteria help ward off unwanted pathogens (bad bacteria), prevent infection, and stimulate your immune system.

Inulin also adds bulk to your stool and increases the frequency of your bowel movements. You may have increased bowel movements, but inulin also slows down overall digestion. This allows your body to better absorb nutrients from the food you eat.

Research suggests that inulin may also enable the body to better absorb calcium. Calcium creates a stronger skeletal system and controls blood sugar.

Inulin slows down digestion, including the digestion of carbohydrates. This allows the sugar to be released slowly without rapid blood sugar spikes, promoting healthy blood sugar levels.

One study found that inulin supplementation can improve insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. It can act as a potential blood sugar stabilizer when it is in your diet for an extended period of time. That said, more research is needed to understand this effect in people living with obesity.

Other research suggests that these properties make inulin a good supplement for weight management.

Inulin can potentially reduce the risk of colon cancer

Research shows that consumption of certain prebiotics, including inulin, has an inverse relationship with the risk of colon cancer.

This suggests that inulin intake may help reduce the risk of developing this cancer and may even act as a preventative measure.

That said, more studies are needed before any strong claims can be made about the effects of inulin on colon cancer.

Inulin in food supplements with collagen

A recommended dose of inulin from dietary supplements is approximately 2500 mg and is found in the dietary supplement Collagen Prebiotics, which, together with collagen and glutamine, promotes good stomach and intestinal health.

However, a study treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation showed that at least 12 g per day led to much higher stool frequency.

For this reason, the dosage may vary depending on the problem you want to address, and it is a good idea to consult with a nutritionist, doctor or dietician to determine how much to take.

You may also prefer to get your inulin by eating foods in which it occurs naturally.

Consider taking a dietary supplement with inulin to further promote digestive health if you are looking to benefit your gut flora or are currently taking antibiotics to treat a bacterial illness. The disadvantage of antibiotics is that in addition to the "bad" bacteria, they also kill the "good" bacteria that are in our bodies, such as help us with digestion, for example. Therefore, it is quite common that we get stomach problems when we take antibiotics.

What are the negative side effects of inulin?

Studies show that inulin is safe for human consumption. It is extremely unlikely to trigger any kind of allergic reaction. That said, when you start using inulin, you may experience indigestion, such as excessive gas or loose stools.

Drink plenty of water when incorporating it into your diet, and be sure to start with low doses. This helps prevent digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea or constipation.

In summary about inulin

Inulin is found naturally in many plant species and is a soluble dietary fiber that has a positive effect on the intestinal microbiome – your intestinal flora. You can also take inulin from food supplements with collagen.

It is believed to regulate fat metabolism, manage weight loss and blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of colon cancer, and improve your overall stomach and intestinal health.

Drinking plenty of water and building up your inulin intake gradually can help you avoid digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea or constipation.