What does Inulin do? (How to take Inulin powder for Sleep)

What does Inulin do to help the body?

Can Inulin help you sleep better?
How to take Inulin powder for sleep?

Can Inulin help treat Candida?
What are the benefits of Inulin for the Skin?
How can Inulin powder help people with Autism?

Can Inulin help treat PCOS?
Want to know more?
Sources

What does Inulin do to help the body?

Studies have observed Inulin does the following to help the body:

Prebiotics, such as Inulin, are responsible for improving gut health by helping the microbes in the gut to grow.

Can Inulin help you sleep better?

Inulin can help get you to sleep better as It may indirectly lead to increased serotonin production in the body. Research by Caltech concluded that microbes in the gut have a significant influence on serotonin levels.

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in the brain accountable for happiness, satisfaction, and low-stress levels, ultimately leading to better sleep.

Furthermore, an animal study showed that administration of Inulin increases the duration of sleep and the amount of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This is part of sleep where the brain processes memory and the person dreams. Studies have shown a lack of REM sleep negatively affects concentration and memory.

In the video below, Bridget from the YouTube channel “Bridgets Healthy Kitchen” explains what is Inulin powder and why is it such an awesome ingredient to include in your daily healthy cooking and eating:

This is our recommended Probiotic Supplement with Inulin:

Biotics 8 – Probiotic Formula For Overall Gut Health

How to take inulin powder for sleep?

The best way to take inulin powder for sleep is by mixing it with water, milk, or juice and drinking it an hour before bed. Mixing it with a beverage is unnecessary, but as inulin is not very sweet, it may help.

Although there is no dosage of Inulin powder for sleep, the recommended dosage for maintaining a healthy digestive system is 5g per meal and 8-12g per day.

Considering these guidelines, starting with half a teaspoon (3g) of inulin powder for sleep is best and working your way up to one full teaspoon(6g). Exceeding this may cause gas, bloating, and discomfort in sleep.

Can Inulin help treat Candida?

Inulin can help treat Candida as a study showed that Inulin causes the symbiotic formulation of L. paracasei or L. Plantarum in the small intestine and colon. These microbes have anticandidal effects and help eliminate candida colonies.

This study concluded that it is possible to produce antifungal drugs or antimicrobial compounds using Inulin and Inulin type fructans.

What are the benefits of Inulin for the Skin?

Inulin may benefit the skin by:

Improving skin’s moisture
Reducing skin’s sensitivity to pollutants

Reducing irritation caused by pollutants
Smoothening the skin
Balancing the skin microbiome

By helping good bacteria to grow on the skin, Inulin enables a healthy ecosystem of bacteria to colonize there, forming a natural shield for the skin, which locks in moisture and prevents complications such as acne and premature signs of aging (i.e., wrinkles and fine lines).

Inulin can be applied to the skin directly as an oil or moisturizer.

How can Inulin powder help people with Autism?

Inulin powder may help people with Autism by supporting their gut microbiota. Bifidobacteria are highest in concentration during birth and decrease with age. But people with Autism don’t have the same concentration of bifidobacteria during their early years.

More specifically, bifidobacteria in their gut, These bacteria are found in the gut and are responsible for :

Protecting against pathogens
Producing Vitamin B, antioxidants, and conjugated linoleic acid

Stimulating the immune system

Research has observed people with low levels of bifidobacteria to suffer from celiac disease, high cholesterol, allergic asthma, and various gut complications such as IBS and ulcerative colitis.

To avoid people on the autism spectrum from suffering from these complications, they are often administered inulin powder supplements. Although it should be noted that currently, there are no human clinical trials studying inulin in the autism population

Can Inulin help treat PCOS?

Inulin can be used to treat PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) as it can help balance the gut microbiota and fulfill daily fiber requirements.

An imbalance in good and bad gut bacteria in PCOS leads to inflammation. This causes the mucus layer in gut sections to decompose and thin out; in a few cases, it may completely decompose. This decomposition is also due to a lack of dietary fiber in the diet. The gut microbiota that wants to be fed starts breaking down the mucus layer for food; this erodes the protective layer making you more exposed to pathogens, greater inflammation, and oxidative stress. This happens not only in chronic fiber insufficiency but when you miss out on fiber intermittently. Adding Inulin to your diet may eliminate this deficiency.

Moreover, a study concluded that a 12-week administration of Inulin type fructan positively affected the inflammatory status of PCOS patients.

Another animal study observed that Inulin used with metformin can ameliorate PCOS in patients by regulating gut microbiota and having anti-inflammatory effects.

Want to know more?

Click the links below to access the individual topic pages:

Digestion

Sources

This article makes use of information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.