Origin & tradition
Extracted mainly from chicory root; a common food-fiber ingredient (also naturally in onions, garlic, asparagus, Jerusalem artichoke) long used as a fiber/prebiotic additive before being studied clinically.
Western tradition · Prebiotic fiber
Inulin (Prebiotic Fiber) 菊粉（益生元纤维）
A well-studied prebiotic fiber that reliably reshapes the gut microbiome and modestly improves glycemic markers — the microbiome-aging link is real but the longevity leap has not been tested in humans.
101ClinicalTrials.gov matched
457PubMed RCT records
56Meta-analysis records
38+PubMed records
Inulin-type fructansKey active compound
Data definition. Matched records include all indexed medical endpoints for this intervention — not only longevity. Longevity-relevant records are screened separately and cited in the evidence summary below. Counts are matched-record volumes, not de-duplicated trials and not efficacy claims.
Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Inulin-type fructans.
Inulin-type fructans are fermented by colonic bacteria into short-chain fatty acids (mainly butyrate), the mechanistic bridge to the gut-microbiome-aging literature; RCTs at 5–20 g/day reliably increase Bifidobacteria and modestly improve fasting insulin/insulin resistance in prediabetic or obese adults, but no human trial tests longevity or lifespan endpoints, and GI tolerance (bloating, gas) limits higher doses.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gut Bifidobacteria abundance | Increases | Strong | A |
| Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Fasting insulin / insulin resistance (prediabetes) — Shown at 10–15 g/day over months; effect size modest | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| GI tolerability at high doses — Bloating/gas/diarrhea risk rises above ~20 g/day or with fast dose escalation | Increases | Minor | C |
| Lifespan / longevity in humans | No change | Negligible | D |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Inulin (Prebiotic Fiber) is typically used
- Typical dose
- 5–20 g/day, titrated up gradually (start ~2–3 g/day)
- Form
- powder (chicory-root inulin) or capsule
- Timing
- with meals; increase dose gradually over 1–2 weeks to reduce GI symptoms
A common food ingredient — generally safe, but can cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea, especially above ~20 g/day or if increased too quickly. Avoid during active IBS/SIBO flares. Not a treatment for any disease.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
58Evidence confidence
Extensive human-trial evidence457 randomized controlled trials · 56 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Multiple human RCTs for gut microbiota and glycemic markers; no longevity-specific human trial
Inulin-type fructans are fermented by colonic bacteria into short-chain fatty acids (mainly butyrate), the mechanistic bridge to the gut-microbiome-aging literature; RCTs at 5–20 g/day reliably increase Bifidobacteria and modestly improve fasting insulin/insulin resistance in prediabetic or obese adults, but no human trial tests longevity or lifespan endpoints, and GI tolerance (bloating, gas) limits higher doses.
101registered clinical trials reference this intervention
3selected from 38+ PubMed papers (longevity / aging angle)
Key active: Inulin-type fructans.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-07-19. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Inulin (Prebiotic Fiber) appears in
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