Here you will find the answers to many of the detailed questions about the Silly Yaks range of 100% wheat free, gluten free products and how they relate to a variety of issues, medical conditions and health or dietary requirements. If you cannot find the answer to your specific question here, please contact us and we will do our best to provide the information you’re after.
Intulins
Do you add Inulin to Your Products?
No, we do not add Inulins to any of our products.
Inulins are a group of naturally occurring (plant-derived) polysaccharides. They are found in many groups of plants, including chicory, leeks, asparagus, onions, garlic and artichokes. Inulins are not digested in the upper gastrointestinal tract and are classified as soluble dietary fibre. Due to their value as dietary fibre, as well as to a variety of claimed health benefits in respect of their role in nourishing good bacteria in the large bowel, inulins are increasingly being added to processed foods. They are also touted as an excellent way of increasing the dietary fibre and health benefits of gluten free products, including bread. Under a 2001 ruling by ANZFA (the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority), it is not necessary to declare the presence of Inulins specifically in processed foods – they may be declared generically as “dietary fibre”.
Despite their claimed health benefits, however, Inulins are fructans – long chain fructose molecules. As such, they cause adverse reactions in people suffering from Fructose Malabsorption Allergies. Additionally, there is much anecdotal information available which suggests that consumption of inulins may also nourish less desirable gut bacteria and may encourage overgrowth of Candida Albicans (commonly known as a “yeast infection”).
Where possible, we ensure that our products are safe for people with Fructose Malabsorption Allergies. For this reason we do not add inulins to any of our products.