Inulin

Yesterday I mentioned stevia plus which is stevia and inulin fiber. Inulin fiber is composed of several simple sugars linked together. These are naturally occurring polysaccharides produced from many plants. Inulin fiber is classified as a fructans fiber.

Inulin fiber has many beneficial properties from a health standpoint. First, inulin does not cause increases in insulin production or in blood sugar. Therefore it is something that diabetics can use. Some of the other benefits are that it increases magnesium and calcium absorption in the body. Inulin also promotes the growth of normal intestinal bacteria.

One word of caution, inulin fiber can cause gas if taken in large amounts, so go easy with it.

Stevia Clarification

One my readers sent a response regarding stevia. I want to make sure that I was clear about stevia. You should read the label as always. You want to get pure stevia, not the blended stevia. Blended stevia's are stevia that is mixed or blended with sugar alcohols (erythritol). I am not a fan of this type of stevia.

There are basically 4 forms of stevia. First is the dried ground leaf form. This is a green powder. The second form is the dried whole leaf. Third is the liguid form of stevia. Be sure you read the labels on the liquid forms of stevia. Choose one that is in a vegetable glycerine solution. This is not the sugar alcohol (erythritol). The fourth form is stevia plus which is a powder form. In this form the stevia is combined with inulin, a carbohydrate.

I'll talk more tomorrow about inulin.