This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 1.5/10).
Safety Profile
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Inulin is a soluble prebiotic fibre from chicory root that selectively feeds beneficial gut bacteria. It has an excellent safety record. GI side effects — bloating, flatulence, and loose stools — are common at doses above 5–10 g/day and are dose-dependent. It is contraindicated in people with severe fructose intolerance.
Biological and Chemical Classification
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Prebiotics
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- No significant safety signals identified in the reviewed literature.
The available scientific evidence for Inulin indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 26 მარ 2026, 13:59
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGut-kidney axis: Dysbiosis and renal disease. ↗Salvadori M et al.. Gut-kidney axis: Dysbiosis and renal disease.. World J Nephrol. 2026. PMID:41884244.PMID 41884244 ↗Journal World J NephrolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41884244/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWProtocol of the LEONORA randomized clinical trial: Lower gastrointestinal symptom burden by prophylaxis with synbiotics after colorectal cancer surgery. ↗Schu00f6ttker B et al.. Protocol of the LEONORA randomized clinical trial: Lower gastrointestinal symptom burden by prophylaxis with synbiotics after colorectal cancer surgery.. BMC Cancer. 2026. PMID:41882573.PMID 41882573 ↗Journal BMC CancerYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41882573/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWOral colon targeted curcumin-based nanocomposite inulin hydrogel for alleviating intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. ↗Fan Q et al.. Oral colon targeted curcumin-based nanocomposite inulin hydrogel for alleviating intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis.. J Nanobiotechnology. 2026. PMID:41872852.PMID 41872852 ↗Journal J NanobiotechnologyYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41872852/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWStructure, physicochemical and functional properties of glycosylation-induced highland barley glutenin-inulin complexes. ↗Ding Y et al.. Structure, physicochemical and functional properties of glycosylation-induced highland barley glutenin-inulin complexes.. Food Chem. 2026. PMID:41865527.PMID 41865527 ↗Journal Food ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41865527/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffects of functional dietary fiber supplementation combined with home-based exercise on gut microbiota diversity and low-grade inflammation in urban sedentary adults. ↗Wang W et al.. Effects of functional dietary fiber supplementation combined with home-based exercise on gut microbiota diversity and low-grade inflammation in urban sedentary adults.. Front Nutr. 2026. PMID:41859657.PMID 41859657 ↗Journal Front NutrYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41859657/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDiscovery and characterization of a thermophilic endo-inulinase with exceptional thermostability for efficient inulooligosaccharide production. ↗Gao Z et al.. Discovery and characterization of a thermophilic endo-inulinase with exceptional thermostability for efficient inulooligosaccharide production.. J Biotechnol. 2026. PMID:41856292.PMID 41856292 ↗Journal J BiotechnolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41856292/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInulin-Butyrate Nanogel for Modulation of Gut Microbiome, Intestinal Barrier, and Regulatory T-Cells in Colitis. ↗Park N et al.. Inulin-Butyrate Nanogel for Modulation of Gut Microbiome, Intestinal Barrier, and Regulatory T-Cells in Colitis.. Small. 2026. PMID:41854082.PMID 41854082 ↗Journal SmallYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41854082/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWFeeding microbes to feed the Gut: inulin reprograms intestinal epithelial metabolism and proliferation through HIF1u03b1. ↗Fagundes RR et al.. Feeding microbes to feed the Gut: inulin reprograms intestinal epithelial metabolism and proliferation through HIF1u03b1.. Gut Microbes. 2026. PMID:41851065.PMID 41851065 ↗Journal Gut MicrobesYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41851065/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWOxidative stability and growth-promoting effect for Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 of whey protein isolate/inulin Maillard conjugates-based nanoemulsion delivery system containing fish oil. ↗Kim YW et al.. Oxidative stability and growth-promoting effect for Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 of whey protein isolate/inulin Maillard conjugates-based nanoemulsion delivery system containing fish oil.. Food Sci Anim Resour. 2026. PMID:41848984.PMID 41848984 ↗Journal Food Sci Anim ResourYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41848984/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWINulin-type u03b2-fructans supplementation to modulate gut microbiota and assessment of its effects on health status and GUT-SKIN axis parameters in patients with… ↗Krupa-Kozak U et al.. INulin-type u03b2-fructans supplementation to modulate gut microbiota and assessment of its effects on health status and GUT-SKIN axis parameters in patients with psoriasis (INGUTSKIN): the 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study protocol.. Nutr J. 2026. PMID:41840402.PMID 41840402 ↗Journal Nutr JYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41840402/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Inulin. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Inulin
A score of 1.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.