Something about acacia inspires a whole lot of good experiences—weight loss, appetite suppressant, diabetes treatment, and much more. Acacia fiber, also known as gum arabic, is rich in soluble fiber and gotten from the sap of the Acacia Senegal tree, a plant native to India, Pakistan, and parts of Africa.
This plant offers a host of health benefits. For instance, in its powder form, acacia can be consumed as a beverage, especially as it is a fiber that doesn’t thicken and has a somewhat mild taste. The powder can also be stirred into smoothies and several other beverages.
Uses of Acacia Fiber
Aids in the Treatment of Digestive Disorders
Acacia fiber dissolves in water and relieves irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by forming a gel-like substance in the intestines. Additionally, acacia fiber alleviates constipation, reduces inflammation of the gut, relieves diarrhea and is an appetite suppressant.
And since acacia fiber is a prebiotic, it helps in stimulating the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.
Lowers Cholesterol Levels and Blood Sugar
As a result of its high soluble fiber content, acacia fiber can be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels, regulating blood sugar, and in turn, protecting the body against diabetes.
Benefits of Acacia Fiber
There are very few studies on all the health benefits of acacia fiber, but evidences abound on certain benefits it offers.
Based on some key findings from the few studies, here are some benefits of Acacia fiber:
Diabetes
Dietary fibers are helpful in regulating blood sugar. Although there’s little clinical study on the link between acacia fiber and diabetes, early findings suggest that the fiber may help fight against certain complications related to diabetes.
According to an animal-based study published in Kidney & Blood Pressure Research in 2012, tests performed on diabetic mice determined that treatment with acacia fiber helped to reduce blood pressure. Based on this finding, acacia fiber may, in fact, help protect diabetic patients from diabetic nephropathy.
NB: Diabetic Nephropathy is a type of kidney damage that may occur due to poor control of diabetes and blood pressure.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Acacia fiber receives IBS symptoms and is free of artificial sweeteners and gluten, both of which are substances that can be problematic for certain people. According to a study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2012, IBS symptoms can be kept in check with yogurt enriched with the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis and acacia fiber.
The findings indicated that after the consumption of yogurt twice daily for eight weeks, research participants showed an improvement in IBS symptoms and bowel movement, particularly those with both constipation and diarrhea-associated IBS.
Fecal Incontinence
In a study published in Research in Nursing and Health, the effects of three types of dietary fiber (gum Arabic, carboxymethylcellulose, and psyllium) were compared in people with fecal incontinence. The participants each consumed one of the fiber supplements for 32 days. After which, findings showed only psyllium supplementation was found to substantially reduce the frequency of incontinence.
Weight Loss
Initial findings suggest that acacia fiber may help in reducing body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage. For instance, a study published in the Nutrition Journal showed that healthy women who took gum arabic for six weeks had a significant reduction in BMI and body fat percentage.
Another study published in Appetite also found that gum arabic improved ratings of satiety and lowered caloric intake few hours after consumption.
Liver Health
Given an animal-based research, acacia fiber may help shield the liver against damage caused by a drug used to relieve pain called acetaminophen. And according to a study published in Pharmacology Research, treating mice with acacia fiber before administering acetaminophen helped fight off the drug’s toxic effects on their livers. Additionally, the study found that acacia fiber may help lower oxidative stress and prevent liver damage
High Cholesterol
Studies suggest that to keep cholesterol in check, consuming soluble fiber like acacia fiber may have a positive impact. For example, according to a publication in Food and Chemical Toxicology, analysis on the available studies on acacia fiber found that it may lower cholesterol levels in rats.
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Possible Risk Factors
When taking any type of fiber-rich supplement, it’s smart to gradually increase consumption rate and take adequate fluids to stave off the side effects commonly linked to high doses of fiber, such as bloating, gas, cramps, and constipation.
According to some studies, other side effects that have been reported include nausea (especially early in the morning), mild diarrhea, and bloating, particularly during the first week of consumption.
Sadly, not much is known about the safety of taking high doses of acacia fiber for a long period of time. It is advisable that acacia fiber shouldn’t serve as a substitute for standard care to treat any health issue.
Since dietary supplements are not tested for safety and largely unregulated, the content of certain products may vary from specifications on the product label. That is one major reason to consult your doctor in determining the safety of supplements for children, nursing mothers, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions.
Where to Get Acacia Powder
It is widely available and is sold in many natural-foods stores. Although acacia is typically sold in powder form, acacia fiber is also available in capsule, tablet, or gum form.
The fiber is also incorporated in food products such as baked foods, grain-based bars, and breakfast cereals. And because acacia fiber is a natural emulsifier that mixes substances that ordinarily don’t mix well, it is one of the ingredients in candy, soft drinks, and even medications.
The Bottom Line
It is evident that further research is needed to determine whether acacia is potent in treating various health conditions. However, including the right amounts of soluble fiber in a diet can protect the body against diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Apart from acacia, soluble fiber can be gotten from such foods as beans, apples, blueberries, barley, oatmeal, and nuts. There are also a host of other natural substances that are rich in soluble fiber. These natural substances include psyllium, carob, glucomannan, and flaxseed.
Having said all these, if you’re thinking of trying out acacia, talk to a qualified healthcare provider before commencing supplementation.
