Overview Description
Acacia Gum
Acacia has been used in all types of applications such as medicines, baking ingredients, tools, and woodwork dating back to the Egyptians.
Because of its high soluble-fiber content, acacia fiber is commonly consumed as a dietary fiber supplement. In the food industry, gum arabic is used as a thickening agent or an emulsifier.
Benefits and Uses
It can be used to clean and clear more than two-thirds of tooth plaque and has an effect on tooth mineralization and treatment of chronic periodontitis (serious gum infection)
It can also be used for high cholesterol, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other conditions.
Gum Arabic is used as a pharmaceutical ingredient in medications for throat or stomach inflammation and as a film-forming agent in peel-off skin masks.
Reduces Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms
Acacia fiber settles easily with most people and has been proven to reduce symptoms linked to irritable bowel syndrome.
According to a study, a composite yogurt that contained acacia dietary fiber as well as probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis was confirmed to have healing properties on subjects with Irritable Bowel Synonym.
Lowers Cholesterol
Food and Chemical Toxicology published a report that analyzed the cholesterol-lowering abilities acacia fiber had on rats. After four weeks of consuming 5g thrice every day, a 10% and 14% decrease in plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol respectively was noted in subjects who were assigned the WSDF containing acacia gum.’
Another study proved the ability of a gum-based supplement containing acacia, guar, and pectin to reduce both LDL and total cholesterol.
An Excellent Source of Fiber
The body requires 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams for men. Many people don’t consume enough. Seemingly, acacia gum has fiber contents ranging from 80% to 90%.
The Food and Drug Administration also listed and approved acacia gum as a dietary fiber.
Encourages Weight Loss
Acacia gum can delay digestion by absorbing water from the stomach and the intestinal tract to form a gel. This gel is responsible for the satiety feeling and preventing cravings in between meals. Acacia fiber slows insulin response and slows glucose absorption.
Contains Prebiotic for gastro intestinal health and Digestion
Acacia fiber increases Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, which are some of the beneficial bacteria found in children’s milk and other dairy products.
Other relative studies have also shown the prebiotic benefits of gum acacia.
Increasing good bacteria results in the production of short-chain fatty acids that sustain cells in the intestinal tract. The gut barrier becomes stronger and prevents leaky gut.
Helps Control Diabetes
Food that has high dietary fiber content are known to regulate blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetic patients.
Acacia gum is an excellent source of dietary fiber, and this strongly suggests its ability to control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Enhances Oral Health
Gum acacia can be used as an herbal toothpaste in its powdered form without being too abrasive.
The extract of a species of acacia known as Acacia catechu, sometimes called black khair, can be used in dental products like mouthwash to prevent gingivitis.
Treats Sore Throats and Dry Coughs
Acacia Gum can help soothe a sore throat and treat a dry cough by maintaining the throat’s viscosity. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent swelling, voice loss, and bacterial infection in the throat.
Helps wound healing
Acacia is often used in topical treatments to help wounds heal. This effect may be due to some of its chemicals, such as alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids
Restricts blood loss
The Acacia greggii plant, found in the United States and Mexico, can be used to help stop blood flow in gashes, wounds, and other surface cuts. Pouring an acacia-infused tea on cuts is an especially effective remedy. This can be helpful for stopping heavy bleeding and washing bacteria from the cut.
May Help Sickle Cell anemia by increasing fetal hemoglobin and other mechanisms further to be studied
Forms and Sources
It was discovered and given the name Acacia nilotica by the Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus in the 1700s, and since then, nearly 1,000 species have been added to the Acacia genus.
Acacia gum is sourced from the Acacia tree sap. The acacia mostly grows in Africa and some parts of India, Pakistan, the United States and Mexico.
Side Effects and Interactions
Acacia is safe for most adults. However, it can cause some minor side effects, especially if you are allergic to acacia.
You may experience some unpleasant feelings in the mouth, diarrhea, bloating, cramps, gas, constipation, conjunctivitis, itchy skin, and rhinitis and mild nausea. Asthma attacks may also be another side effect, especially if an individual is allergic to dust.
It may cause complications if it interacts with other medications. Consult a physician before taking acacia gum supplements when on medication, especially high cholesterol or respiratory-related drugs.
For pregnant women, acacia gum intake may negatively impact iron absorption in the body. Before using acacia gum or any product that has it listed as one of the ingredients, it is advisable to consult with a physician.
How to Label
Acacia Gum Powder (acacia senegal / acacia seyal)
Gum Arabic (Acacia) Tree resin
Gum Acacia will not count as a dietary fiber and cannot be included in the Dietary Fiber total on the Nutrition Facts label.
Gum Acacia will still be included in Total Carbohydrate Value.c. Gum Acacia is a soluble and non-digestible carbohydrate
Research & Studies (References)
Gum Arabic is a source of dietary fiber. It tends to make people feel full, so they might stop eating earlier than they otherwise would. This might lead to weight loss and reduced cholesterol levels.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-268/acacia
Effects of gum Arabic ingestion on body mass index and body fat percentage in healthy adult females: two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial
The results showed that regular intake of 30 gm /day GA for six weeks resulted in significant reduction in BMI and body fat percentage (P<0.0001) ,Changes in body weight were reported to occur with many other fibers intake whether the fiber is obtained from naturally high-fiber diet or when it is ingested in a form of a supplement [27].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3570285/
The Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Daily ingestion of 20 g of GA-AS for 12 weeks was shown to improve satiety and significantly reduce energy and carbohydrate intakes. It also improves blood pressure, blood glucose, and bowel movement, while increasing perceived satiety.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7826716/
Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) supplementation on visceral adiposity index (VAI) and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as indicators of cardiovascular disease
Gum Arabic consumption at a dose of 30 g/d for 3 months may play an effective role in preventing weight gain and modulating adipose tissue dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients, although no effect has been shown in waist-to-hip ratio.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29558953/
Acacia Gum Is Well Tolerated While Increasing Satiety and Lowering Peak Blood Glucose Response in Healthy Human Subjects
This study indicates that gum acacia has physiological benefits in healthy human subjects, including improvements in satiety after consumption of 40 g of gum acacia per day with little effect on gastrointestinal comfort and high consumer acceptability. These results are consistent with existing research on AG and add to the body of evidence that AG provides physiological benefits as a functional fiber in human nutrition.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33672963/
Acacia gum (Gum Arabic): a nutritional fiber; metabolism and calorific value
the FDA in the USA insist upon 4 kcal/g in nutritional labelling, whereas in Europe, no value has been assigned to soluble dietary fiber, such as Gum Arabic.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9666883/
Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) on C-reactive protein level among sickle cell anemia patients
we proved that regular intake of GA increased fetal hemoglobin and anti-oxidant capacity most likely through raised level of butyrate, which would ameliorate symptoms of sickle cell anemia.
Daily intake of GA significantly decreased C reactive protein level (P.V = 001) (95% CI 0.943-3.098). No correlation between CRP and age, fetal hemoglobin, hemolysis markers and white blood cells. Our findings revealed novel effect of GA as anti-inflammatory agent could be consumed as natural dietary supplement to modulate disease severity and downregulate inflammatory process.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32188508/
The Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
After 12 weeks, the participants receiving the GA showed significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fat-free body mass, energy and carbohydrate consumption, and fasting plasma glucose, as well as increased intake of dietary fiber. They also reported improvements in self-perceived bloating and quality of bowel movements, as well as a decreased appetite score following GA consumption. These results suggest that GA could be a safe and beneficial adjunct to other treatments for those with, or at risk of, metabolic syndrome.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33435475/
The acute oral toxicity of modified gum acacia was determined in two studies employing Sprague-Dawley rats, and the LD50 values were found to be >2000 mg/kg.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18078702/
Evidence-Based Approach to Fiber Supplements and Clinically Meaningful Health Benefits, Part 2
Effect of composite yogurt enriched with acacia fiber and Bifidobacterium lactis
Effect of composite yogurt enriched with acacia fiber and Bifidobacterium lactis (nih.gov)
Biological effects of gum arabic: A review of some recent research
Biological effects of gum arabic: A review of some recent research – ScienceDirect
The effect of acacia gum and a water-soluble dietary fiber mixture on blood lipids in humans
The effect of acacia gum and a water-soluble dietary fiber mixture on blood lipids in humans
Efficacy of acacia, pectin, and guar gum-based fiber supplementation in the control of hypercholesterolemia
Acacia is used as a pharmaceutical ingredient in medication for throat and stomach inflammation and as a film-forming agent in peel off skin masks.
Acacia – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Dietary fiber for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis
Dietary fiber for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis – PubMed (nih.gov)
Butyrate modulates TGF-β1 generation and function: Potential renal benefit for Acacia(sen) SUPERGUM™ (gum arabic)?
PREBIOTIC EFFECTS OF INULIN AND ACACIA GUM (REVIEW)
PREBIOTIC EFFECTS OF INULIN AND ACACIA GUM (REVIEW) | Request PDF (researchgate.net)
Biochemical effects and safety of Gum arabic (Acacia Senegal) supplementation in patients with sickle cell anemia
GA may alter the disease severity in SCA as demonstrated by its ability to decrease direct bilirubin and urea levels in the serum.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6439290/
Gum Arabic as fetal hemoglobin inducing agent in sickle cell anemia; in vivo study
These findings reveal a novel effect of GA, which may be used to foster fetal hemoglobin production.
