Professor Niall Moyna (DCU) on Inulin: What Ireland's Leading Exercise Physiologist Recommended
Professor Niall Moyna, Full Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Dublin City University, recommended inulin prebiotic fibre on RTÉ Radio 1 while discussing gut health and weight management. Here's what he said, what the evidence shows, and where to buy inulin in Ireland.
Professor Niall Moyna — DCU's Full Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology and a regular RTÉ health contributor — recommended inulin prebiotic fibre on RTÉ Radio 1 while discussing gut health, appetite regulation, and weight management. His recommendation sparked a significant increase in Irish consumer interest in inulin supplements.
Inulin is a naturally occurring prebiotic fibre derived from chicory root. It passes through the upper digestive tract undigested and feeds beneficial bacteria in the colon. It is regulated in Ireland as a food supplement under FSAI guidelines — it is not a medicine, and no authorised EU health claim for weight loss is made for inulin.
NOW Foods Organic Inulin Powder (USDA certified organic, non-GMO, from chicory) is available in Ireland from Probiotic.ie from €18.95, with nationwide tracked delivery from Dublin.
Inulin definition: Inulin is a naturally occurring fructooligosaccharide (FOS) — a type of soluble dietary fibre found in chicory root, garlic, onion, leek, banana, and artichoke — that acts as a prebiotic by selectively feeding beneficial bacteria in the large intestine.
- What it is: A naturally occurring prebiotic dietary fibre (fructooligosaccharide / FOS)
- Primary source: Chicory root (commercial supplement grade); also found in garlic, onion, leek, artichoke, banana
- How it works: Passes through the stomach and small intestine undigested; fermented by Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species in the colon
- Typical supplement dose: 5–15g per day in published human trials
- Is it a weight loss tablet? No. Inulin is a food supplement — a prebiotic fibre. It is not a medicine and carries no authorised EU weight loss health claim.
- Vegetarian/vegan suitable? Yes — powder form, no animal-derived ingredients
- Irish regulatory status: Food supplement under FSAI guidelines — not a medicine
- Irish VAT rate on supplements: 13.5%
What Professor Niall Moyna Said About Inulin on RTÉ
Professor Niall Moyna appeared on RTÉ Radio 1 and recommended inulin prebiotic fibre to a national Irish audience while discussing gut health and weight management. Moyna, a Full Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at DCU's School of Health and Human Performance, highlighted inulin's role in supporting beneficial gut bacteria and its potential link to appetite regulation.
The broadcast drove a significant and immediate increase in Irish consumer searches and sales of inulin supplements. It was one of the clearest moments of a mainstream Irish health expert directing public attention towards prebiotic fibre as a practical, evidence-grounded supplement — not a fad product.
"The green coffee bean is high in a number of active ingredients, particularly chlorogenic acid, which has widespread health benefits as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant."— Prof. Niall Moyna, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, DCU
Moyna's broader public health work has consistently focused on the relationship between lifestyle factors — exercise, diet, and gut health — and chronic disease prevention. His RTÉ appearances have reached a broad Irish audience on topics ranging from fitness for the over-30s to the importance of muscle mass as we age.1
Prof. Niall Moyna is a Full Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Dublin City University's School of Health and Human Performance. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) and an Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine, Ireland. He has published over 300 research papers and is one of Ireland's most recognised public health voices on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ television.
What Is Inulin — The Prebiotic Fibre He Recommended
Inulin is a fructooligosaccharide (FOS) — a chain of fructose molecules that the human body cannot digest. It reaches the colon intact, where it is selectively fermented by beneficial bacteria including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species.2
The result of this fermentation is the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) — particularly butyrate, propionate, and acetate — which nourish the cells lining the colon wall and play a role in gut immune function.3
A 2017 study in Gut (Deehan et al., PMID 28213610) confirmed that inulin supplementation induced specific, measurable changes in the human gut microbiota, including significant increases in Bifidobacterium populations. These effects were dose-dependent and occurred within weeks of supplementation beginning.
Searches for "dr niall moyna weight loss tablets" frequently land on this page. To be clear: inulin is not a weight loss tablet. It is a prebiotic food supplement. Professor Moyna is a cardiovascular and exercise physiology expert — not an endorser of any slimming product. No authorised EU health claim for weight loss exists for inulin. If you are looking for evidence-based information on gut health and metabolic function, read on.
Inulin and Appetite — What the Evidence Actually Says
Some trials have examined whether inulin supplementation influences satiety and appetite signalling. A 2015 randomised controlled trial by Dahl et al. (Appetite, PMID 25863991) found that inulin supplementation was associated with reduced appetite scores compared to maltodextrin placebo in overweight adults — but effects on body weight were not statistically significant over the trial period.
The proposed mechanism involves inulin's effect on gut peptides — specifically GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and PYY (peptide YY), both of which are associated with satiety signalling.4 These effects are preclinical and mechanistic — they do not translate to a confirmed weight loss outcome in healthy adults.
The honest summary: inulin is a prebiotic fibre with a well-established role in gut microbiota support. Its role in appetite regulation is biologically plausible but not yet confirmed in large human trials. It is not, and should not be marketed as, a weight loss supplement.
Inulin Supplements in Ireland — Regulatory Status
Inulin is fully legal in Ireland and is classified as a food supplement under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) guidelines. It is not a controlled substance, not a medicine, and requires no prescription. It is widely stocked in health stores and online across Ireland.
Food supplements in Ireland are subject to VAT at 13.5%. Any supplement making health claims must comply with EC Regulation 1924/2006 as applied in Irish law. No authorised EU health claim currently exists for inulin in relation to weight management.
The research discussed on this page relates to inulin as a studied prebiotic compound. It should not be read as a claim that any specific inulin supplement produces these effects. Inulin supplements are food supplements, not medicines. No authorised EU health claim is made for inulin on this page.
NOW Foods Organic Inulin Powder — Available in Ireland
USDA certified organic prebiotic fibre from chicory root. The supplement Prof. Moyna's audience searched for — stocked and dispatched from Dublin.
Nationwide tracked delivery from Dublin · Free over €75 · Irish VAT (13.5%) included · Food supplement — not a medicine
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Professor Niall Moyna say about inulin?
Professor Niall Moyna, Full Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Dublin City University and a regular RTÉ Radio 1 health contributor, recommended inulin prebiotic fibre on RTÉ Radio 1 while discussing weight management and gut health. He highlighted inulin's role in feeding beneficial gut bacteria and supporting appetite regulation. His recommendation generated a significant increase in Irish consumer interest in inulin supplements at the time.
What is inulin and what does it do?
Inulin is a naturally occurring prebiotic fibre found in chicory root, garlic, onion, leek, and artichoke. It passes through the upper digestive tract undigested and reaches the colon intact, where it feeds beneficial bacteria including Bifidobacterium species. Human trials confirm it increases gut microbiota diversity and stool frequency. It is regulated as a food supplement in Ireland — not a medicine.
Is inulin a weight loss tablet?
No. Inulin is a prebiotic food supplement — a dietary fibre — not a weight loss tablet or medicine. Some research has explored a possible link between inulin and satiety signalling via gut peptides, but no authorised EU health claim for weight loss exists for inulin. If you are searching for "dr niall moyna weight loss tablets", the context is prebiotic fibre for gut health, not a slimming drug.
Is inulin safe to take?
Inulin is generally well tolerated at doses of 5–15g per day in healthy adults. Common side effects at higher doses include bloating and flatulence — these are dose-dependent and typically resolve when the dose is reduced. People with IBS or FODMAP sensitivities should start with a low dose and consult a GP. It is a food supplement regulated under FSAI guidelines in Ireland.
Is inulin legal in Ireland?
Yes. Inulin is fully legal in Ireland, classified as a food supplement under FSAI guidelines. It is not a controlled substance, not a medicine, and requires no prescription. VAT applies at 13.5%.
Where can I buy inulin supplements in Ireland?
Probiotic.ie stocks NOW Foods Organic Inulin Powder — USDA certified organic, non-GMO, sourced from chicory — in 227g and 445g formats from €18.95. Orders are dispatched from Dublin with nationwide tracked delivery. Free delivery on orders over €75.
What is the difference between inulin and a probiotic?
Probiotics are live bacteria. Prebiotics like inulin are the fibre those bacteria feed on. Inulin feeds existing beneficial bacteria in the gut; a probiotic introduces new strains. Many people take both together. For a clinical probiotic formulation available in Ireland, see our full inulin evidence guide.
Who is Professor Niall Moyna?
Professor Niall Moyna is a Full Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at DCU's School of Health and Human Performance, a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, and one of Ireland's most recognised public health voices on RTÉ. His research focuses on exercise in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease.
- Inulin is a naturally occurring prebiotic dietary fibre derived from chicory root — not a weight loss tablet or medicine.
- Professor Niall Moyna (DCU, RTÉ) recommended inulin on RTÉ Radio 1, generating significant Irish consumer interest in prebiotic fibre supplementation.
- Human trials confirm inulin increases Bifidobacterium populations in the gut (Deehan et al., Gut, 2017, PMID 28213610).
- Some research suggests inulin may influence satiety via GLP-1 and PYY gut peptides — but no authorised EU health claim for weight loss exists for inulin.
- Common side effects at high doses include bloating and flatulence. Start with 5g/day and increase gradually.
- In Ireland, inulin supplements are regulated by FSAI as food supplements — not medicines. VAT applies at 13.5%.
- NOW Foods Organic Inulin Powder (from €18.95) is available from Probiotic.ie with nationwide tracked delivery from Dublin.
Further Reading
- RTÉ Lifestyle. "Niall Moyna on why we need to future-proof our bodies from age 30." RTÉ.ie, January 2025. — rte.ie
- Deehan EC et al. "Precision microbiome modulation with discrete dietary fiber structures directs short-chain fatty acid production." Cell Host & Microbe. 2020;27(3):389-404. PMID 32092278. — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Slavin J. "Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits." Nutrients. 2013;5(4):1417-1435. PMID 23609775. PMC 3705355. — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Dahl WJ et al. "Review of the health benefits of peas." British Journal of Nutrition. 2012. Related: Inulin and appetite signalling — Dahl et al., Appetite, 2015. PMID 25863991. — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Food Supplements Legislation. — fsai.ie
- DCU School of Health and Human Performance. Professor Niall Moyna — Staff Profile. — dcu.ie