Inulins are a group of naturally occurring
polysaccharides produced by many types of plants, industrially most often extracted from
chicory. The inulins belong to a class of
dietary fibers known as
fructans. Inulin is used by some plants as a means of storing energy and is typically found in
roots or
rhizomes. Most plants that synthesize and store inulin do not store other forms of carbohydrate such as
starch.