Inulin naturally exists in vegetables or fruits such as leek, chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, onion, asparagus, leek, banana, etc., and the content of Jerusalem artichoke, chicory, and dahlia is the most abundant. The chemical structure of inulin determines that it can resist the hydrolysis of digestive enzymes in the initial part of the digestive system of the body, and directly reach the colon for selective fermentation by colonic flora. Inulin has the characteristics of prebiotics, that is, it increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the human intestinal tract, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, and then maintains the balance of intestinal microecology and the health of the host. At the same time, inulin can also affect host genes, intestinal local and systemic metabolism. Currently, inulin is used as a fat replacer, texture modifier, stabilizer, and humectant. At the same time, inulin also has some inherent health benefits, such as relieving constipation and diarrhea, and promoting calcium absorption. Studies have shown that inulin, as a dietary fiber, has many biological activities such as anti-oxidation, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, and immune regulation, and is widely used in food, medicine, cosmetics and other fields.

 Researchers have paid more attention to the health benefits and potential effects of inulin on diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia. In recent years, inulin has made some progress in new health food and feed additives. Among them, beverages, dairy products, jellies, etc. added with inulin can achieve the desired color and taste, and adding inulin to biscuits can significantly reduce the amount of oil and prolong the shelf life. At the same time, inulin is used as an additive in animal feed, which can promote animal growth performance, and improve the survival rate of pups and the laying rate of laying hens.

Biological activity of inulin.

1. Inulin has antioxidant potential.

During the normal metabolic process, the body will inevitably produce a series of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which mainly exist in the form of superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals and their active derivatives. When the body is aging or in a state of stress, the synthesis of these free radicals increases, causing the degree of oxidation in the body to exceed the ability to scavenge oxides, and the oxidation system and anti-oxidation system are further out of balance, which may damage cells, tissues and organs, leading to many diseases such as inflammation and cancer. Existing studies have confirmed that inulin can enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes and has antioxidant potential.

2. Inulin promotes the reduction of fatigue.

At present, the effect of inulin on promoting fatigue reduction has gradually attracted people's attention. Taking inulin can reduce the decomposition of protein in the body during exercise and inhibit the production of blood lactic acid, thereby improving the fatigue state of the body after exercise. In addition, inulin can significantly increase the accumulation of glycogen in the liver and muscle while increasing the weight-bearing swimming time and enhancing running endurance. Inulin can increase the hemoglobin content in plasma, increase blood oxygen content, supply enough oxygen to meet the energy demand of the body during exercise, prevent the synthesis of lactic acid and ammonia during anaerobic respiration, and at the same time, it reduces the decomposition of body protein, liver glycogen and muscle glycogen. Inulin can also increase the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, promote the conversion of lactic acid into pyruvate, and restore the normal pH of muscles.

3. Inulin stimulates the immune system response.

The immune system is composed of immune organs, immune cells and immune active substances, which can respond to external stimuli and protect the body from the invasion of pathogens. Studies have shown that inulin intake can stimulate the immune system response, which may be related to its triggering and stimulation of the intestinal mucosal immune system. Studies have shown that inulin stimulates the immune response by enhancing the response of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, balancing Th1 and Th2 cell responses, and enhancing the phagocytosis of macrophages.

4. Inulin improves glucose and lipid metabolism disorders.

Glycolipid metabolism affects the nutritional status of the body by providing energy. Once the glucose and lipid metabolism is disturbed, it may cause diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Inulin supplementation can improve blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and metabolic syndrome; prolong gastric emptying time and increase satiety; improve insulin sensitivity and increase insulin release; inhibit inflammation and regulate gut microbiota. The mechanism of inulin improving blood lipids is attributed to reducing the body's absorption of cholesterol, inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, promoting the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, and increasing cholesterol excretion. In addition, inulin can promote the growth of intestinal beneficial bacteria, and some beneficial bacteria may play a role in lowering blood lipids through the gut-liver axis.

5. Inulin plays a role in preventing and fighting cancer.

Inulin exerts effects on preventing and fighting cancer by affecting colon cancer and breast cancer. At present, the mechanism of inulin on the prevention or improvement of colon cancer includes two aspects: one is that inulin promotes the immune system of the gastrointestinal tract, especially relieves the intestinal inflammatory response, and inhibits the development of colon cancer; The parts play the role of prebiotics, regulate the intestinal microecology, and reduce the formation of colon precancerous lesions.  

Write at the end:

At present, inulin is rich in sources and mature in extraction technology, has various biological activities, and can improve inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, colon cancer and other diseases. Therefore, it has broad development prospects to use the biological activity of inulin in the development of health food or disease prevention and treatment.