chapter 1 Functional Food and Claims: Concepts, Strategy of Development, Requirements for the Scientific Substantiation of Claims, and Communication with Consumers -- chapter 2 The Gastrointestinal System: A Major Target for Functional Foods -- chapter 3 Inulin: A Fructan -- chapter 4 The Digestive Functions: Inulin-Type Fructans as Nondigestible Obligosaccharides -- chapter 5 The Digestive Functions: Inulin-Type Fructans as Fermentable Carbohydrates -- chapter 6 The Digestive Functions: Inulin and Oligofructose as Dietary Fiber -- chapter 7 Inulin and Obligofructose as Low-Calorie Carbohydrates -- chapter 8 Inulin-Tye Fructans and Gastrointestinal Functions: Conclusions and Perspectives -- chapter 9 Inulin-Type Fructans and the Modulation of the Intestinal Microflora: The Prebiotic Effect -- chapter 10 Inulin-Type Fructans and the Intestinal Absorption of Minerals -- chapter 11 Inulin-Type Fructans and the Homeostasis of Lipids -- chapter 12 Inulin-Type Fructans and the Defense Functions of the Body -- chapter 13 General Discussion, Perspectives, and Conclusions.