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In6.0
Inulin Research
Likely helps
143 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Inulin appears to help in 14 of 15 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1995–2026 with a typical study size of 59 participants.
Based on 143 studies · 18 meta-analyses · 108 RCTs · 14,440 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
14helped1unclear· 128 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Digestive healthImproved bowel regularity and microbiome diversity within 2-4 weeks · 2-4 weeks
Likely helps93 studies
Weight management
Likely helps30 studies
Glucose & metabolic
Likely helps26 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Probably helps13 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Mostly mechanism / observational8 studies
Liver health
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Bone health
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
InflammationIncreased beneficial bacteria and improved digestion · 2-4 weeks
74 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
199520102026
1HbA1c reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 26×n=2,685 · very large study2023
Galactomannans were the most effective dietary fiber for reducing the levels of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Juhász AE et al. · The American journal of clinical nutrition (2023)
Galactomannans had the highest effect on reducing the levels of HbA1c (SUCRA: 92.33%) and fasting blood glucose (SUCRA: 85.92%).
With regard to fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR, β-glucans (SUCRA: 73.45%), and psyllium (SUCRA: 96.67%) were the most effective interventions.
Galactomannans were ranked first in reducing the levels of triglycerides (SUCRA: 82.77%) and LDL cholesterol (SUCRA: 86.56%).
3Body weight reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 4×n=1,184 · large study2024
Chicory ITF supplementation may benefit weight management by reducing body weight, BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, and, to a certain extent, body fat percentage.
Reimer RA et al. · The American journal of clinical nutrition (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Chicory ITF significantly reduced body weight [mean difference (MD): -0.97 kg; 95% CI: -1.34, -0.59); n = 1184] compared with placebo.
Except for considerable heterogeneity in body weight (I2: 73%) and body fat percentage (I2: 75%), all other outcomes had negligible to moderate heterogeneity.
Significant reduction in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference was evident irrespective of participants' health status.
4Bifidobacterium abundanceMeta-Analysisn=2,525 · very large study2023
Chicory-derived inulin-type fructans at a dose of 3-20 g/day significantly increased Bifidobacterium abundance in participants with an age range from 0 to 83 years (standardized mean difference: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58-1.08; p < 0.01; 50 studies; 2525 participants).
Nagy DU et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2023)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Chicory-derived inulin-type fructans at a dose of 3-20 g/day significantly increased Bifidobacterium abundance (standardized mean difference: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58-1.08; p < 0.01; 50 studies; 2525 participants).
Significant bifidogenic effects were observed in healthy individuals and in populations with health impairments, except gastrointestinal disorders.
Significant beneficial effects on bowel function parameters were observed in healthy subjects.
Our analyses confirmed that these four main glycemic indicators were significantly reduced by ITF supplementation, particularly in the prediabetes and T2DM population.
Wang L et al. · Journal of translational medicine (2019)
Overall, ITF supplementation could significantly reduce concentrations of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
Our analyses confirmed that these four main glycemic indicators were significantly reduced by ITF supplementation, particularly in the prediabetes and T2DM population.
Evidence supports that reasonable administration of ITF supplementation may have potential clinical value as an adjuvant therapy for prediabetes and T2DM management.
FMT and multistrain probiotics showed superior efficacy in UC.
Zhang T et al. · Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology (2025)
FMT and multistrain probiotics showed superior efficacy in UC.
However, the efficacy of MTTs varies among different IBD subtypes and disease stages; thus, the personalized treatment strategies of MTTs are necessary.
15Clinical outcomes in cystic fibrosisSystematic ReviewCited 4×2023
This review did not find any evidence for the use of prebiotics in people with CF.
Williams NC et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2023)
This review did not find any evidence for the use of prebiotics in people with CF.
Until such evidence is available, it is reasonable for clinicians to follow any local guidelines and to discuss the use of dietary prebiotics with their patients.
Large and robust RCTs assessing the dietary prebiotics of inulin or galacto-oligosaccharides or fructo-oligosaccharides, or any combination of these, are needed.
Based on the results of network meta-analysis, it seems that Hypocaloricdiet+MonCam, LED, HFCS20+Ex, catechin-rich green tea +inulin, VLCD, NPD+RT, Hyc+Ex, SD, Hyc+BWL, are the better treatments for weight loss in patients with overweight and obesity.
Morsali M et al. · Journal of research in health sciences (2021)
Based on the results of network meta-analysis, it seems that Hypocaloricdiet+MonCam, LED, HFCS20+Ex, catechin-rich green tea +inulin, VLCD, NPD+RT, Hyc+Ex, SD, Hyc+BWL, are the better treatments for weight loss in patients with overweight and obesity.
The meta-analysis indicated that the numbers of subjects with ≥1 RTI were reduced with prebiotic (OR, 0.73; 95% CI: 0.62-0.86; P = 0.0002; n = 17) and synbiotic (OR, 0.75; 95% CI: 0.65-0.87; P = 0....
Williams LM et al. · Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2022)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The meta-analysis indicated that the numbers of subjects with ≥1 RTI were reduced with prebiotic (OR, 0.73; 95% CI: 0.62-0.86; P = 0.0002; n = 17) and synbiotic (OR, 0.75; 95% CI: 0.65-0.87; P = 0.0001; n = 9) supplementation compared to placebo.
Further, NK cell activity was increased with synbiotic (standardized mean difference, 0.74; 95% CI: 0.42-1.06; P < 0.0001, n = 3) supplementation.
This review provides evidence that prebiotic, specifically oligosaccharide, supplementation may play a protective role in RTIs in infants and children.
19Short-chain fatty acid productionSystematic ReviewCited 164×n=11 · very small study2022
Future studies are needed to better elucidate the relationship between DFs and gut microbiota in terms of SCFA production and impact on health-related markers.
Vinelli V et al. · Nutrients (2022)
Regarding the results obtained on the ability of fiber to modulate total SCFAs, seven studies reported a significant increase, while no significant changes were reported in five studies, depending on the analytical methodology used.
Overall, these results underline that, although affecting microbiota composition and derived metabolites, DFs do not produce univocal significant increase in SCFA levels in apparently healthy adults.
The effect of DF interventions on the SCFA profile seemed to be strictly dependent on the dose and the type and structure of DFs.
In summary, the use of ITF may have benefits for LDL-c reduction across all study populations, whereas HDL-c improvement and glucose control were demonstrated only in the T2DM subgroup.
Liu F et al. · European journal of clinical nutrition (2017)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
In the overall analysis, the supplementation of ITF reduced only the low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) (mean difference (MD): -0.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.29, -0.02; P=0.03) without affecting the other endpoints.
Within the T2DM subgroup analysis, ITF supplementation was positively associated with a decreased fasting insulin concentration (MD: -4.01; 95% CI: -5.92, -2.09; P<0.0001) and increased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) (MD: 0.07; 95% CI: 0, 0.14; P=0.05).
Moreover, a reduced fasting glucose tendency was identified only in the T2DM subgroup (MD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.90, 0.06; P=0.09).