 About Inulin
  In addition to being absolutely delicious and a low Glycemic Index food, Xagave actually enhances your health. We can comfortably state that no other sweetener on the market, whether natural or "engineered", can match the health benefits - including other agave nectars! Why? Unlike other nectars, Xagave contains inulin, a naturally occurring byproduct from the Agave Tequilana plant, which we have reintroduced and standardized at 11% by volume. This means that you get approximately 7 to 8 grams of inulin a day merely by consuming three tablespoons of Xagave. Inulin is a water-soluble dietary fiber that is consumed and absorbed in the lower intestine and provides the following health benefits:Improved Digestive Health. Better digestion means better health through improved absorption of critical minerals (calcium and magnesium), reduced gas and a reduction in the "bloaty" feeling due to suppressed growth of harmful bacteria in the colon. These positive health affects are due to the fact that inulin is a prebiotic which acts to stimulate the normal, beneficial bacteria in the colon. Inulin can be thought of as food for the good bacteria in your gut that make it healthy. Studies have shown Inulin to be an effective prebiotic as well as bifodenic at a daily consumption of 5 grams per day. In a study conducted at Johns Hopkins, 113 infants were fed an infant cereal supplemented with inulin or a placebo for 6 months. The children consuming the cereal with inulin showed reduced incidence of fever, less antibiotic use, fewer doctor visits, less vomiting and fewer daycare absences. As a prebiotic fiber, inulin is food for the probiotics. This causes the probiotic Bifidobacteria to increase. As they grow, they secrete acids. This change in the pH in the colon helps suppress the growth of harmful bacteria like E. Coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. Improved Bone Health. Inulin helps increase bone density by enhancing calcium absorption. Studies have demonstrated that inulin increases calcium absorption by as much as 20 percent. A newly published study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that inulin increased calcium retention or bone density in adolescents by 15 percent. This increase in calcium absorption and bone density resulted after supplementing the diet with 8 grams of Inulin per day. In addition, other studies have shown a positive effect on calcium absorptioninulin in teens and postmenopausal women. Effective Tool for Weight Loss and Weight Management. It is well known and documented that fiber, such as inulin, helps maintain a feeling of fullness for longer periods after eating. In addition to being a fiber, inulin, a carbohydrate, is a very low- glycemic index food, which means that it has minimal effects on blood sugar levels. Furthermore, inulin is often added to food products to enhance flavor and freshness of products - simply, it makes food taste better! Your sweet tooth is satisfied and you have a feeling of fullness that helps you consume appropriate levels of calories for your weight-management or weight-loss program. Assists in Managing Diabetes. Inulin as an undigested fiber has no effect on blood glucose levels, nor does it affect insulin levels. It has a zero Glycemic Index. Inulin in foods provides both bulk and sweetness without causing a rise in glucose levels after meals. It is appropriate for diabetics. Improved Motality. Simply, Inulin, as a dietary fiber, improves regularity and reduces constipation. Studies have also shown both increased frequency and size of waste after consumption of inulin. References: Griffin, IJ, et al: Non-digestible oligosaccharides and calcium absorption in girls with adequate calcium intakes. British Journal of Nutrition (2002) 87, Suppl. 2 S187-S191. Holloway, L, et al: Altered Mineral Absorption and Bone Turnover in Postmenopausal Women Treated with Oligofructose plus Inulin. Research presented at American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Sept 19-23, 2003 Abrams, SA et al: A combination of prebiotic short- and long-chain inulin-type fructans enhances calcium absorption and bone mineralization in young adolescents1. Am J Clin Nutr Vol. 82, No. 2, 471-476, August 2005 Gibson, G: Dietary Modulation of the Human Gut Microflora Using the Prebiotics Oligofructose and Inulin Journal of Nutrition. 1999;119:1438S-1441S Saavedra and Tschernia: Human studies with probiotics and prebiotics: clinical implications. British Journal of Nutrition (2002) 87, Suppl. 2 S241-S246. Brennan, C - Dietary fiber, glycemic response, and diabetes. Molecular Nutr. Food Res, 2005. 560 - 570. |
