Fiber. Fiber is a complex carbohydrate found in plant foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts. Fiber helps maintain bowel regularity and may decrease your risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar, obesity, high cholesterol and colorectal cancer, according to MayoClinic.com.
Inulin is a natural storage carbohydrate present in more than 36,000 species of plants, including wheat, onion, bananas, garlic, asparagus, sunchoke and chicory. For these plants, inulin is used as an energy reserve and for regulating cold resistance. Because it is soluble in water, it is osmotically active.his is advantageous because inulin contains 25-35% of the food energy of carbohydrates (starch, sugar). In addition to being a versatile ingredient, inulin has many health benefits. It increases calcium absorption and possibly magnesium absorption, while promoting the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria.
Inulin is found in abundance in many non-starchy root vegetables and rhizomes such as burdock roots, Jerusalem artichokes, onions, and garlic. Most of the inulin fiber that is used as a food additive comes from chicory roots (which look similar to small beet roots) because of their consistently high inulin content.nulin fiber is used to help measure kidney function, can be converted into ethanol, and there is even evidence that it can assist in the management of diabetes (though it is not to be confused with insulin).