UC Irvine links inulin fiber to sugar defense

Researchers at UC Irvine report in Nature Metabolism that inulin, a dietary fiber found in onions, garlic and artichokes, reprograms gut bacteria in the small intestine to metabolize fructose before it reaches the liver, preventing spillover that can trigger fat buildup. The team, led by Cholsoon Jang, PhD, found the inulin-primed microbiome not only blocked fructose’s hepatic impact but also reversed early signs of fatty liver disease and boosted liver antioxidants, including in non‑obese participants.