Tag: Digestion

Inulin – Natural Dietary Fiber

Inulin is a type of fiber consisting of naturally occurring polysaccharides and storage carbohydrates that can be found in 36,000 types of plants and vegetables. If you read the labels on processed foods, you will find that most of them list inulin. Yes, you have eaten inulin many times in your life.

What exactly is inulin? How does it benefit your body?

What You Need To Know About Inulin

Inulin is a non-digestible, natural, soluble dietary fiber that can be found in many varieties of vegetables, fruits, and other food products. It is composed of several simple sugars linked together and is a naturally occurring oligosaccharide that belongs to a group of fructans (carbohydrates).

Inulin is used as a prebiotic agent to stimulate the development of healthy intestinal bacteria. Inulin can be found in common food products such as fruits, vegetables, dietary supplements, and other health supplements.

What Are the Benefits of Inulin?

Inulin has many health benefits especially for those who are having digestion problems. Other benefits include:

  • It controls blood sugar levels. This is especially helpful for diabetes patients. Inulin has natural antioxidant properties that help with balancing the glucose level of the blood.  People who take inulin report better  responses to sugar with blood sugar levels.
  • It lowers risks of hypertension and heart diseases. Research confirms that inulin lowers levels of fats in the body, specifically triglycerides. Patients with heart conditions are given supplements containing inulin. It can prevent high blood pressure and heart problems.
  • It helps with digestion. Studies show that inulin is used to help with bowel movement and digestion. It is used for constipation and irregular bowel movement. It is widely used with elders who have problems with digestion.
  • It can help with weight loss. Although it is rich in fibre and all signs pinpoint to inulin being a weight loss agent, it should be paired with exercise and a healthy diet.

For users with high triglycerides, the recommended dose is 10 to 15 grams every day. For digestion treatments, the recommended dose is 20 to 40 grams every day until the digestion becomes regular again.

Foods Rich in Inulin

Inulin can be found in many food products but some specific foods that are rich in this dietary fibre include:

  • oats
  • wheat
  • bananas
  • berries
  • pineapple
  • asparagus
  • onions
  • radish

Inulin can aid in cleansing and detoxification. Regular use can eliminate digestive problems and remove fats from the body. Thus, this dietary fibre is an absolutely healthy part of your diet.

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Meadowsweet – Check Out What This Wild Herb Can Do For You

Meadowsweet is a wild herb and flower that is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and bioflavonoids and works as a natural digestive aid and pain reliever. It has been found to decrease the amount of acid build up in the stomach by soothing the mucous membranes and digestive tract which makes it an excellent remedy for digestive issues such as nausea, ulcers, heartburn, gastritis, indigestion, ibs, and diarrhea. Meadowsweet contains

Meadowsweet contains salicyclic acid, which is commonly used as the active ingredient in aspirin and can provide similar pain relief from headaches, fevers, and various aches and pains. Meadowsweet also contains potent anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce swelling associated with arthritis, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, bursitis, sinusitis, allergies, migraines, and chronic illnesses. Meadowsweet is a gentle, yet effective herb for urinary tract, bladder, and kidney infections and can safely be used on children and adults alike.

Meadowsweet also contains sedative properties that help to relax the nervous system and reduce muscle tension throughout the body. Meadowsweet tea has a smooth, clean, sweet flavor. Use 2 teaspoons of dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water and allow to steep for at least 20 minutes, sweeten with raw honey if desired. Topically, meadowsweet tea can be used as compress for neuralgia, painful arthritis, rheumatic joints, hemorrhoids, cellulite, acne, and edema. It is also an excellent eyewash for conjunctivitis and other eye related problems.

If you find the herb growing locally in the wild the flowers can be added to fruit salads, ice tea, jams, and sorbets for a subtly sweet almond flavor. Meadowsweet can also be found online or at your local health food store in tea, tincture, extract, capsule, and cream form.