Figure 1 | Nutrition & Diabetes

Figure 1

From: The application of omics technologies in the functional evaluation of inulin and inulin-containing prebiotics dietary supplementation

Figure 1

Inulin or inulin-containing prebiotic fiber as a functional food. Inulin is a natural renewable polysaccharide resource produced by various plants in nature. Plant bulbs of Asteraceae: Jerusalem artichoke and chicory (Cichorium intybus) use it as a means for storing nutrients. Inulin is also included in dandelion and dahlia. Inulin fulfills the requirements of functional foods in the following manner: being a part of conventional everyday foods, to be consumed with the normal/usual diet as naturally occurring (as opposed to synthetic) components, sometimes in increased concentrations or present in foods that would not normally supply them, and having positive effects on target functions that may enhance health and well-being, as well as reduce disease risk.

Back to article page