Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chicory fiber, also known as inulin, is a type of soluble dietary fiber derived from the chicory root. Its use in supporting or treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is based primarily on its properties as a prebiotic fiber, which can help modulate the gut microbiota. Several small clinical trials and systematic reviews have explored the effects of inulin-type fructans on gut health and IBS symptoms. Some evidence suggests that chicory fiber may improve stool frequency and consistency in individuals with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) by increasing stool bulk and water content due to its fermentability by gut bacteria. Additionally, as a prebiotic, chicory fiber can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria, potentially supporting overall gut health.

However, the evidence for its efficacy in managing broader IBS symptoms—such as abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort—is mixed. In some individuals, especially those sensitive to fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs), inulin may actually worsen symptoms like gas and bloating. Most research to date consists of short-term, small-scale studies with varying results, and there is a lack of robust, long-term randomized controlled trials specifically focused on IBS populations. As a result, while there is some scientific rationale for the use of chicory fiber in IBS, particularly in IBS-C, the overall quality and consistency of evidence are limited, meriting a modest evidence rating.

More about Chicory fiber
More about Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Other ingredients used for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

2'-Fucosyllactose
Akkermansia muciniphila
Aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
alpha-pinene
amino acids
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
blackberry
Indian frankincense
butyrate triglyceride
chen pi
chia seed
chlorella
cinnamon
turmeric
curcumin
fennel
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
ginger
green banana
green tea
guar gum
cellulose
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
L-glutamine
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lactococcus lactis
lovage
marshmallow
oat
pectin
Peppermint
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
butyric acid
psyllium
quercetin
resveratrol
saccharomyces boulardii
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
vitamin D
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
hyssop
atractylodes
ferula assafoetida
anise
holarrhena antidysenterica
fumaria parviflora
chrysanthemum
senna
white oak
Algae
Agastache
Asafoetida
Alexandrian senna
Agrimonia pilosa
Betony
Bifidobacterium
Bacillus indicus
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Boswellia
Bacillus licheniformis
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Cumin
Coriander
Citron
Cannabidiol
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
Dichrostachys glomerata
Enterococcus
Enzyme Blend
Fig
Fiber
Frangula
Glucooligosaccharides
Galactomannan
Galactooligosaccharides
hemicellulose
Indian Coraltree
Kluyveromyces marxianus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactococcus casei
Locust Bean Gum
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus
L. lactis
Lysimachia
Leuconostoc
methylcellulose
Mentha haplocalyx
Mucilage
Malva sylvestris
Meadowsweet
Nardostachys
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Phellodendron
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Probiotics
Pediococcus acidilactici
portulaca
Pimpinella
Plectranthus amboinicus
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Quince
Rubus
Rhus coriaria
Rhubarb
Salvia
Sanguisorba
Slippery Elm
Sagebrush
Savory
Viburnum
Yacon
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by Chicory fiber

Cholesterol (high)
Constipation (adults)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Inflammation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome
Triglycerides (high)

Products containing Chicory fiber

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.