This food additive has been used as a traditional medicine throughout the ancient world. As an FDA-approved dietary fiber source, it may help boost gut and digestive health. Some research shows that acacia gum may also benefit your heart health, blood sugars, and weight management.
This food additive has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the 1970s and is commonly used in food and beverage products in the United States and worldwide. In 2021, the FDA added acacia gum to its definition of dietary fiber.
Also known as gum Arabic, acacia gum has a long history worldwide.
In modern times, you may find acacia on grocery store shelves in crushed, ground, and whole form. Most of the time, the acacia in food or medicine is Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. This type of acacia is usually in gum form, and it will say acacia gum on labels and packaging.
Acacia gum has a naturally sticky texture.
The name Acacia itself refers to a genus of plant that includes many different types of plants, such as trees and shrubs. They can be used in a variety of applications. The acacia that you can buy today may come from one or more of these species.
Acacia has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicines, baking ingredients, tools, and woodwork. Ancient civilizations used this additive in diverse ways in their foods and medicines, from making desserts to treating hemorrhoids.
While you may not be able to find recent research or scientific basis for a lot of the traditional medicinal claims, there are countless uses that ancient civilizations have used this for, whether it be in bark, paste, or other forms. They
- ulcers
- tuberculosis
- toothache
- common colds and coughing
- asthma
- diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues
- skin disorders
- menstrual cramps
- fractured and dislocated bones
- body pain
- pregnancy fever
While acacia gum appears quite versatile in its potential health benefits in Eastern and ancient cultures, modern medicine and science-backed research aren’t as conclusive about all uses for acacia gum.
Your healthcare team can best help guide you on any herbs or supplements that you might be curious about and what they feel is best for any health concerns or conditions you might be experiencing.
Digestive and stomach health
It’s most often been linked to stomach health and may help with digestion and ease certain symptoms, such as diarrhea.
This 2021 study shows it helps gut health, echoing other research over many years. This found that it helps with gastrointestinal symptoms.
The FDA
Fiber benefits for blood sugar levels, insulin use
In particular, the FDA
In this
Researchers in a 2017 study found that a 30g acacia gum supplement over a 3-month treatment period did show glycemic benefits for people with type 2 diabetes. In context, that tracks with the knowledge that lower glycemic index foods with fiber often help people with T2D because they don’t typically lead to blood sugar spikes.
Given that acacia gum is a fiber source, researchers noted in the 2021 study that it tracks that the food additive helps fill people up from 15 to 240 minutes afterward — meaning they aren’t eating or drinking more that would boost blood sugars and lead to more insulin.
Weight management, cholesterol
Acacia gum has the potential to keep your weight in a healthy range while also reducing your overall body fat.
In the 2017 research looking at acacia gum’s effects on type 2 diabetes, the researchers also noted that people in that study experienced lower body mass index (BMI) when taking the 30g supplement over three months. They saw a 2.06% decrease in BMI compared to those without it. Those people also experienced lower cholesterol levels.
More research was needed to explore the impact of acacia gum for people who live with obesity and prediabetes.
Another
Relieves pain and irritation
Materials with this property may be used to reduce irritation and inflammation.
Soothes coughs and sore throats
Because it’s known to relieve irritation and inflammation, acacia gum may also help control coughs.
The properties of acacia gum allow it to be used in solutions to coat your throat and protect the mucus in your throat from irritation.
Using acacia for coughs can possibly keep your throat from becoming sore as well as ease or prevent symptoms, including losing your voice.
Consult your healthcare team before consuming any form of acacia. They can advise you on the clinical guidelines and safety of using something like this, especially to ensure there are no possible allergic or drug-interaction reactions.
Some research shows that acacia can interact with certain medications. For example, it may prevent some antibiotics from being absorbed.
Some forms of acacia contain toxic chemicals that could cause hair loss, affect your digestive tract’s ability to take in nutrients, and stunt growth. Do not consume a form of acacia that you’re not familiar with.
Acacia gum is used in many types of foods and beverages and is FDA-approved to be safely used in cooking, drinks, and other substances.
As a source of dietary fiber, some of the benefits are tied to that. Research shows it may have health benefits ranging from protection against metabolic conditions to helping those with obesity or diabetes manage their blood sugars and weight. It also could help reduce pain and inflammation and might have other benefits.
Make sure to consult your healthcare team before using it as a supplement, particularly if you take any medications.
SOURCES:
Babiker R, et al. (2017). Metabolic effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): Randomized, placebo controlled double blind trial. https://ffhdj.com/index.php/ffhd/article/view/325
FDA Grants Citizen Petition on Acacia (Gum Arabic) as a Dietary Fiber. (2021).
Jarrar AH, et al. (2021). 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.
Jhundoo H, et al. (2021). Anti-inflammatory effects of acacia and guar gum in 5-amino salicylic acid formulations in experimental colitis.
Kumar A, et al. (2024). A comprehensive review on the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of ACACIA ARABICA. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949866X24000182
Larson R, et al. (2021). Acacia Gum Is Well Tolerated While Increasing Satiety and Lowering Peak Blood Glucose Response in Healthy Human Subjects.
Mudgil D, et al. (2023). Acacia gum: Chemistry, properties & food applications. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949824424000399
Rawi MH, et al. (2021). Manipulation of Gut Microbiota Using Acacia Gum PolysaccharideClick to copy article link. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.1c00302