A closer look at at agave inulin

Prebiotic fibers have been getting more and more attention lately as a way to support digestive health and overall well-being. One of the most promising of these fibers is agave inulin. But what exactly is agave inulin and why is it so special?

Agave inulin is a type of prebiotic fiber derived from the blue agave plant. The agave plant, which is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, has been used for many years as a source of nutrition and flavor and is commonly known as the main ingredient in tequila. Inulin can be found in the roots of the plant as a soluble fiber. When inulin is extracted from the agave plant and processed into a powder, it is called agave inulin powder.

Agave inulin is particularly resistant to digestion by human enzymes. This means that it travels relatively unchanged through the upper digestive tract and reaches the large intestine, where it becomes a source of food for the beneficial bacteria that live there.

Discovering the health benefits of agave inulin

Inulin, which is non-digestible in the small intestine, can promote healthy changes in the composition and production of gut microbiota. This is because probiotics, or the live and beneficial bacteria in the gut, use inulin as a source of fuel. Without a food source like inulin, probiotics may not thrive.Studies have shown that consuming agave inulin can lead to an increase in the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, two types of bacteria that are associated with improved gut health and enhanced immune function.

Thus, consuming agave inulin can support the health of the gut microbiota and contribute to a diverse microbiota, which may provide various benefits including a supported immune and digestive system. In addition, inulin has been shown to potentially decrease constipation and increase  the absorption of calcium and other minerals from food and alleviate intestinal issues.

Another advantage of agave inulin is its taste. Agave inulin has a neutral taste and is soluble in both cold and hot liquids. This makes it an ideal ingredient for functional food and drink products such as our functional mocktails.

Agave inulin in Heyu

At Heyu, we believe in incorporating the power of agave inulin to enhance digestive health in our mocktails. Our blend of agave inulin and tapioca fiber creates a prebiotic-rich drink with at least 3g of prebiotic fiber per 100 mL.