Background:

There is currently a growing interest in researching components of foods that have satiety power. Some constituents of dietary fiber have this characteristic, like the inulin that corresponds to a prebiotic.

Objective:

Analyze and discuss the effect of inulin on satiety in humans.

Materials and Methods:

A bibliographic search was done using Scielo, Science Direct, Pubmed, and Oxford Journals databases, reviewing nutrition and food items.

Results:

Studies were reviewed in different population groups, with different methods of evaluation of satiety and various doses of inulin. Controversial results were obtained, some cases showed an effect on satiety and others did not, therefore it is not possible to affirm that inulin has the effect of satiety in humans; an increase in satiety effect is observed when inulin is added to some individual preparations that already produce satiety.

Conclusion:

It is not possible to affirm that inulin has the effect of generating satiety in humans.

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