What characteristic of inulin, compared to starch, contributes to Topinambur's classification as a low-glycemic food choice?
Answer
Inulin is a fructan that the human small intestine cannot digest.
The reason Topinambur possesses a low glycemic impact is directly tied to the indigestibility of its main carbohydrate, inulin, within the small intestine. Since inulin is not broken down into simple, absorbable sugars in the upper digestive tract, it does not contribute to the immediate rise in blood glucose levels seen with starchy or sugary foods. It passes through to the large intestine intact, where its prebiotic action begins. This fundamental lack of rapid absorption in the small intestine is why sunchokes do not elevate blood sugar in the way that starches or simple sugars found in foods like white potatoes do.
Related Questions
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