Agave Inulin: What Are the Benefits?

The chances are good that you are already well acquainted with agave. This sweetener has swiftly swept through the health and food world. However, the lesser-known counterpart to the more well-known agave syrups and nectars is agave inulin powder. 

Now, why should you bother learning about another sweetener besides sugar? If you've seen one, you’ve seen them all, right? Actually, no! Agave inulin is an exciting ingredient, thanks to its flavor and its benefits. 

Once you see the benefits of this sweet fiber, you can look for it when searching for healthful options. For example, it is often used as a sweetener in tepache, a fermented Mexican beverage with many advantages in its own right. 

The benefits of agave inulin are impressive. Read on to see more about these benefits and find ways to fit more agave inulin into your daily routine. 

What Is Agave Inulin?

Agave is a plant native to the Southwestern U.S and Mexico. Agave inulin is extracted from the fibrous roots of the plant. 

Inulin itself is a dietary fiber processed into a powder. The innovative agave inulin is an excellent way to intensify the taste of a food or drink. 

Inulin can be sourced from several different plants, including the chicory root and agave. That said, inulin can also be found in other fiber-rich foods such as artichokes, leeks, garlic, bananas, and asparagus.

Agave inulin is a naturally sourced sweetener, giving it an edge over highly processed and chemically dense sweeteners.  

Reduce Sugar Consumption 

The first benefit of agave inulin is its ability to help you reduce your sugar intake. It is no secret that too much sugar can have detrimental effects on your health. 

A diet too high in sugar can lead to cardiovascular problems, diabetes, higher blood pressure, and inflammation. These issues arise when there is an excess of processed and added sugars in an individual's diet. 

To curb the intake of processed sugars without sacrificing flavors and due sweetness to certain foods and drinks, alternatives like agave inulin are excellent options. 

This is especially true in the United States, where the average person consumes more sugar than they may even be consciously aware of. Many products include large amounts of sugar and processed sweeteners in order to extend the shelf life of products. 

To avoid the sneaky sugars in your meals and beverages, consider items sweetened with agave inulin. Tepache, for example, can be sweetened with agave inulin instead of a less healthful sweetener. 

Slow Your Snacking 

Inulin is a dietary fiber. This means that it carries all of the benefits of fiber, even while acting as a sweetener. 

Fiber has a plethora of different mechanisms for increasing overall health. One of the more noticeable advantages of fiber-rich diets is increased fullness. Fiber itself slows down the movement of food into the stomach. As a result, you are left feeling fuller for longer. 

The longer you feel full, the less likely you are to reach for an unhealthy option to curb hunger cravings. Agave inulin in food and drinks is an excellent way to increase your fiber intake and keep you satiated for longer. 

This means you can spend less time stressing about unhealthy snacks or looking to fill your tummy and more time doing the things you enjoy. 

Dietary fiber also has the added benefits of keeping digestion flowing smoothly, if you know what we mean. 

Glorious Gut Health 

Another benefit of agave inulin comes from its classification as a prebiotic..

The health of your gut helps determine how smoothly your body functions. There are two major players to help maintain good gut health: probiotics and probiotics. 

These two kinds of nutrients work in tandem inside of the gut. 

Probiotics are good bacteria that maintain the efficiency of digestion. This bacteria aids in fighting off the unhealthy bacteria that can cause problems in the body. Prebiotics act as food or fuel for probiotics.

Some foods are both prebiotic and probiotic. These foods or on double duty, and your body will thank you for eating them. Prebiotics prime the lining of the gut and allow the probiotic bacteria a chance to gain strength for functioning—a match made in heaven. 

Tepache is an example of a drink that is both prebiotic and probiotic. Tepache is sweetened with agave inulin, making it prebiotic, and the fermentation process helps develop probiotics. It is a refreshing win-win for everyone! 

Calcium Champion

Another way that inulin aids in overall health is through the absorption of calcium. Calcium fortifies the body in many ways, and you don’t need to rock a milk mustache to get it! 

Studies have demonstrated that an uptrend in inulin consumption can lead to greater absorption of calcium. 

Calcium is an important nutrient in terms of bone health and muscle function. It helps the heart and other muscles function at their greatest capacity. Calcium also helps blood vessels function, balances hormones, and supports maximum growth potential in the body. 

Inulin for All! 

If you were in the dark about agave inulin before, you now have a better understanding of its benefits. 

We all want to do what is best for our bodies, but it can be hard to avoid processed sugars and less healthy options during busy days. That’s why inulin is a great way to get both a sweet flavor you crave without compromising your health. 

An easy way to start is with a tepache, a refreshing beverage that’s naturally low in sugar. The added sweetener is the star of an hour, agave inulin. 

Inulin may help increase calcium absorption, lower your sugar intake, and improve your overall gut health. With all of the potential benefits of agave inulin, there is no reason to shy away from it any longer! 

Sources: 

Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet | Mayo Clinic

The sweet danger of sugar | Harvard Health

Fiber: The Nutrition Source | Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health

Calcium and calcium supplements: Achieving the right balance | Mayo Clinic

Effects of inulin on calcium metabolism and bone health. |NIH.