Acacia Fiber vs Inulin

What is Acacia Fiber and Inulin? 

Acacia fiber and inulin are two common types of soluble prebiotic fiber found in some dietary supplements. As supplements, they are both extracted and purified from natural plant sources.

Acacia fiber comes from the acacia senegal tree. It is extracted from the sap of the acacia tree, which is dried to produce acacia gum. Acacia fiber contains soluble fibers like arabinoxylan and glucuronic acid that provide prebiotic effects.

Inulin is a soluble fermentable fiber extracted from chicory root or synthesized from sucrose. Bulk inulin consists of fructose chains called fructans that support gut bacteria. It is added to many foods and supplements for its prebiotic benefits.

Acacia Fiber Vs Inulin

Whereas inulin- amended supplement shows intestinal-vulnerable improvement, acacia fiber supplement has stronger prebiotic exertion, which may lead to adding mineral immersion.

Acacia Fiber Or Inulin

both fiber- amended supplements tested in the present study show the eventuality to be salutary to gut- health, although else. Whereas inulin- amended supplement shows intestinal vulnerable improvement, acacia fiber supplement has stronger prebiotic exertion, which may lead to adding mineral immersion.

Acacia Fiber Candida

Inulin are polymers composed substantially of fructans( the fructose units in wholesale inulin are joined by a β( 2 → 1) glycosidic bonds) set up in numerous different shops. Fructans are a polymer of fructose motes, and fructans which are formed into short direct chains are known as fructooligosaccharides, and longcross-linked chains are known as inulin.

Supplemental inulin is generally uprooted from chicory root and is added to numerous different products as a source of salutary fiber including, for illustration, Kind bars.

Benefits of Acacia Fiber and Inulin

Both acacia fiber and bulk organic inulin powder function as prebiotics, meaning they pass undigested to the colon, where they selectively stimulate growth of beneficial bacteria. This can help rebalance gut microbiota and inhibit pathogens. Some key gut health benefits include:

• Increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production - SCFAs like butyrate provide energy for colonocytes, reduce inflammation, and improve gut barrier function.

• Selective increase in bifidobacteria and lactobacilli - These bacteria confer many health benefits and their growth is enhanced by prebiotics.

• Decreased risk of diarrhea - By promoting gut barrier function, prebiotics like bulk inulin powder can help prevent diarrhea.

• Relief of constipation - Soluble fibers attract water into the colon, softening stools and supporting regularity.

• Improved mineral absorption - Prebiotics support absorption of minerals like calcium and magnesium by increasing solubility.

• Potential weight loss benefits - Prebiotics may aid weight loss through effects on satiety, fat metabolism, and gut bacteria.

Both fibers offer similar prebiotic and digestive benefits, though some research suggests acacia fiber is more rapidly and extensively fermented by gut flora. However, high intakes of prebiotics can also cause initial gas and bloating.

Does acacia fiber raise insulin?

There is no evidence that acacia fiber intrinsically raises insulin or blood sugar levels. In fact, acacia fiber has been shown to have anti-diabetic effects in some studies.

A 2015 study in Nutrition Research found acacia fiber supplementation for 12 weeks significantly reduced fasting blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Another study showed adding acacia fiber to meals lowered the glycemic index and insulin response in healthy adults. The fiber likely delayed gastric emptying and slowed digestion of carbohydrates.

Soluble fibers like acacia can also aid weight loss when used alongside diet and exercise. By helping control blood sugar and insulin, acacia fiber may support diabetes management.

However, it’s important to note that excessive intake of any prebiotic fiber can potentially have an adverse effect on blood glucose regulation in diabetics. Moderation is key, and diabetics should monitor blood sugar when increasing fiber intake.

Is acacia fiber better than psyllium?

Acacia fiber and psyllium husk are both effective options for relieving constipation, and neither appears significantly more effective.

One study directly compared the two as treatments for chronic idiopathic constipation in children. Both fibers increased stool frequency and softened stool consistency to a similar degree. The researchers concluded acacia and psyllium had comparable efficacy for constipation.

Psyllium husk forms a bulking gel, while acacia fiber is fermented by colonic bacteria. But both help promote regularity. Some key differences:

• Cholesterol lowering - Psyllium has been shown to lower LDL and total cholesterol, while acacia fiber does not significantly affect cholesterol.

• Solubility - Acacia fiber is more soluble than psyllium. It dissolves better in water with less thickening.

• Taste - Acacia fiber is more bland, while psyllium has a gritty texture and earthy taste.

For relieving occasional constipation, both fibers are good choices. Acacia may be preferred by those who dislike psyllium’s texture. Psyllium can benefit cholesterol levels in some individuals. But neither fiber is definitively better than the other.

What is the difference between fiber and inulin?

Dietary fiber and inulin are different types of plant-based compounds that offer overlapping gut health benefits:

• Definition - Dietary fiber includes polysaccharides from edible plant cells that are not broken down in the small intestine. This covers many types of fiber. Inulin is one specific soluble fermentable fiber.

• Natural occurrence - Fiber is intrinsic to the cell walls of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. Inulin is the natural storage carbohydrate in over 36,000 plants.

• Chemical structure - Fibers have different polymer structures. Organic inulin powder bulk consists of chains of fructose called fructans.

• Solubility - Fibers like cellulose are insoluble, while others like inulin dissolve in water. Inulin is a soluble fermentable fiber.

• Digestibility - Most fibers are indigestible by human enzymes, but certain fibers like inulin can be partially broken down.

• Fermentability - Not all fibers are fermented by gut flora. Inulin is highly fermentable and provides prebiotic benefits.

So while dietary fiber is a broad term, inulin refers specifically to the soluble prebiotic fructan fiber found in many plants. All inulin is fiber, but not all fiber is inulin.

Inulin is added to foods or taken as a supplement to boost fiber intake and provide targeted prebiotic benefits. It offers advantages over non-fermentable insoluble fibers for gut health. But a diversity of soluble and insoluble fibers from whole foods is ideal for overall digestive function.

Inulin is a soluble fiber, one of three types of dietary fiber including soluble, insoluble, and resistant starch. Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gelatinous material. Some soluble fibers may help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

For bulk inulin powder, please contact us at email: info@scigroundbio.com.

References:

Calame, W., Weseler, A. R., Viebke, C., Flynn, C., & Siemensma, A. D. (2008). Gum arabic establishes prebiotic functionality in healthy human volunteers in a dose-dependent manner. British Journal of Nutrition, 100(6), 1269-1275. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114508981447

El-Salhy, M., Mazzawi, T., Gundersen, D., Hatlebakk, J. G., & Hausken, T. (2019). The role of diet in the pathogenesis and management of irritable bowel syndrome (review). International journal of molecular medicine, 44(2), 547–555. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2019.4249

Gråsten, S. M., Liukkonen, K. H., Chrevatidis, A., El-Nezami, H., Poutanen, K. S., & Gylling, H. (2003). Effects of wheat pentosan and inulin on the metabolic activity of fecal microbiota and on bowel function in healthy humans. Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.), 23(11), 1503–1514. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0271-5317(03)00160-9

ABOUT AUTHOR

Celine Xu is a botanist with over 15 years of experience researching and developing plant extracts for nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. She leads an R&D team focused on identification, cultivation and extraction of medicinal plants. Celine Xu earned a Ph.D. in Plant Biology has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals about the health benefits of specific phytochemicals. She frequently speaks at industry conferences about new developments in plant extract research. Celine Xu is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of how targeted plant compounds can be used to improve human health.