Inulin & Oligofructose: The New Low Carb Fiber

You are hip, you are cool, you surf the Internet, you know everything! And then you realize you don't know everything because there is so much to know!

I am a label reader. I try to figure out what is in the foods I buy. I have been noticing a new ingredient lately, inulin. I find it in the new Stonyfield yogurt, in the low carb versions of Hershey candy (not in the low sugar versions!) along with erythritol, and in some great sugar free caramel syrup from Steels. I didn't know what the heck this stuff was... so of course... since I'm hip and cool (and ready and able to admit ignorance!), I did a search.

Well, what I found out was that I was behind the times. Inulin works just like fiber and is made out of plants like chicory root and isn't digested like other starches, it isn't absorbed, so it doesn't have an effect on blood sugar. (It also has a cousin, oligofructose. I'm glad I know this! I always discounted everything with fructose in the name as just another sugar, when it isn't!) In fact, the stuff is used in medical tests to test kidney function!

Inulin (IN-yoo-lin) is used as a test to help diagnose problems or disease of the kidneys. This test determines how well your kidneys are working.

Inulin passes out of the body entirely in the urine. Measuring the amount of inulin in the blood after it has been given can help the doctor determine if the kidneys are working properly.

How test is done:

Inulin is given through an intravenous infusion (run into a vein). The dose of inulin will be different for different patients. The doctor will determine your dose according to your weight and size. Several times during the test, blood and sometimes urine samples are taken. A tube called a catheter may be placed in your bladder to help take the urine samples. The amount of inulin in your blood or urine is measured. Then the results of the test are studied.

It is advocated for diabetics because it has a sweet taste and doesn't raise blood sugar. So far, only one person has been found to be allergic to it. Stonyfield Farms has been using it in their regular yogurt for years. It even seems to help colorectal cancer in preliminary tests.

So... if I have a choice of low carb yogurts with inulin and live cultures and one without -- I know which one I should choose. If I have a choice of candy made with malitol or sugar alcohols alone or a candy made with inulin -- I know which one I should choose.  Same with syrups... Sugar alcohols can be nasty... looks like we are moving forward with nutrition! (And the price of inulin is going up.)

I have one more question... why doesn't Splenda use inulin or oligofructose as a bulking agent?

Comments

[Devon]

Where can you buy inulin to cook and bake with?
Thanks for all your hard work, please keep it going!

[Kathy]

Where can I buy choclate made with inulin and NO sugar alcohols?

[Kristina]

Hello! I found this site while looking for info on oligofructose. For anyone who wants to know, Suzanne Somers sells this as her Somersweet on her website. Good Luck!

[Gloria]

Dream Fields makes an excellent low cab spaghetti (glycemic index of 13) using inulin. It is indistinguishable from regular spaghetti.

[Tracy Austin]

Thanks for this info. I feel good knowing that a new product I just received with Oligofructose in it is good for me.

Many thanks,

Tracy

[Patricia Eberhard]

I recently obtained Inulin from Trader Joes store. They had it listed in their monthly bulletin, They indicated that you should add it to your favorite cold beverage
or sprinkle it on your favorite cereal or yogurt. They don't indicate how much Inulin
you should use.Do you use a teaspoon or so per how big a batch of food you are preparing. I am a diabetic type 2 but under control with no medication, just diet and exercise.My A1C is down to 5.5 and daily blood sugar checks are normal. So can you help me figure how much Inulin I should use?

[Norah Smith]

Suzanne Somers has great products, go to suzannesomers.com and look under products. I use Somersweet all the time, one quarter teaspoon of Somersweet equals one teaspoon of sugar. Also bakes just like sugar. It is 5 times sweeter than sugar.

[Kirsie]

Careful! Oligofructose and the like are not all that great for all people! I, like many others, am sensitive to it, and experience a lot of stomach discomfort, bloating, cramping, etc. after even just one granola bar with the stuff. Go slow if you are new to these "added fiber" products, as it may cause you a few painful and uncomfortable hours.

[Eph]

Sweet Perfection is a sugar substitute that is composed of oligofructose. Should be available at most health food stores. Half as sweet as sugar, it can be used in baking. Cost is around $10 per pound.