Inulin: What the Heck Does It Do?

Eat only natural sources of inulin — and in moderation

Image by Eric Crescoli for Pixabay

So inulin? Well, I’d heard it had weight-loss effects and wanted to use that to help my clients. Then I found something that hooked me.

Inulin may prevent overeating by decreasing both hunger and appetite for sweet, salty, or fatty foods. It can prolong feelings of fullness after eating.

When I learned it may indirectly boost serotonin levels and provide a mood boost, that got my geek going. To the degree that inulin boosts serotonin, I’d submit that decreased appetite and prolonged fullness after eating may be attributable at least in part to serotonin.

Research suggests the relationship between inulin and weight loss is mediated by the gut microbiome: inulin promotes good gut bacteria, which turn it into propionate, a short-chain fatty acid that can suppress appetite. These claims have not been proven.

Anyway, I didn’t find any more about inulin and brain chem, but I was already on it, so here’s what I found.

Inulin Is a Dietary Fiber, a Prebiotic

It’s not digested or absorbed in the stomach. It stays in the large intestine and may benefit gut health by aiding the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria…