Organic acacia supplement with soluble fibre for the gut

Acacia gum (also known as gum arabic) is a natural exudate from sap collected from the trunk and branches of certain species of acacia forest shrubs. This sap has traditionally been consumed by Africans and Indians to improve digestive health and intestinal transit.

What is acacia gum?

It’s a complex blend of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, specific compounds that the human body is unable to digest. This means it is resistant to digestive enzymes and is thus a source of energy for beneficial species of gut flora (probiotics), particularly bacteria from the genus Bifidobacterium and those able to produce lactic acid. It therefore fits this definition of a ‘prebiotic’ proposed by a team of researchers: “A selectively fermented ingredient allowing specific changes both in the composition and activity of the gastrointestinal microflora that confers benefits upon well-being and health.” (2). »

Where does Organic Acacia come from? How is it produced?

The sap from which Organic Acacia is produced comes from two species of acacia which meet the criteria for organic farming: wild Acacia senegal (L.) and Acacia seyal Delile (3). These two species grow abundantly in Saharan Africa (the Maghreb, Mali, Senegal, Sudan …). The exudate is produced in the trunk and branches when the tree is subjected either to tapping or to natural cracks in the bark caused by the wind, dry conditions, parasitical plants or foraging insects. The gum starts to form when the resin seeps out of these cuts and comes into contact with the air. Once harvested, the sap hardens and then undergoes fine liquid purification to eliminate any impurities (mineral or organic). The resulting syrup is briefly sterilised at high temperature, then dried and converted into a highly soluble powder, and packaged for use in measured doses.

What are acacia gum’s mechanisms of action?

Acacia gum contains 90-97% soluble fibre – plant-based carbohydrates that are resistant to salivary and intestinal digestive enzymes as well as to oral and gut flora. They reach the colon intact, at which point they’re confronted with more than 400 different species of bacteria which co-exist inside us. These bacteria include species which are able to use the dietary fibre as fuel to increase their growth. They’re called probiotics and are known to have beneficial effects on many of the body’s functions. In vitro studies have shown that of the various types of bacteria that populate the colon (beneficial and pathogenic), strains from the Bifidobacterium genus are most able to use acacia gum for their growth (4). This is a genus involved in the prevention of several diseases and in maintaining general health.

What’s more, when this fibre is broken down, metabolites are produced which themselves have a positive effect on other beneficial species: short-chain fatty acids, produced by bifidobacteria, stimulate the growth of bacteria that produce lactic acid. This virtuous circle goes even further since by promoting a growth in beneficial bacteria, there is greater protection against colonisation of the milieu by pathogenic bacteria (5).

In theory, then, this type of dietary fibre results in two changes:

• An alteration in gut flora.
• Stimulation of metabolic activity (production of short-chain fatty acids, and lowering of the luminal pH) (6).

What does research say about acacia gum?

Scientists are extremely interested in soluble fibre, acacia gum in particular, for an increasing number of applications.

Not all these applications are unanimously recognised by the scientific community, either because it is a new field and researchers are only at the initial stages of their investigations, or because studies so far conducted have sometimes proved contradictory, are insufficiently precise, have questionable methodology or concern sections of the population that are too specific.

Increase in beneficial bacteria in the colon (bifidobacteria)

According to several studies (mainly in vitro (7-8)), supplementation with acacia gum is associated with a rise in numbers of Bifidobacteria in the colon. Wyatt et al noted a significant increase in Bifidobacteria populations in the colon of a volunteer following supplementation with 10mg/day of acacia gum (9).

This effect was subsequently confirmed in a blind study of 10 healthy volunteers who took either 10g/15g of acacia gum for 10 days, or a placebo 10. The effect was more pronounced in subjects who had fewer than average bifidobacteria at the outset.

Decrease in pathogenic gastrointestinal microorganisms

Bifidobacteria inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, both as a result of their natural development, as well as their ability to lower colon pH (11). Two in vitro studies (12) demonstrated the potential effect of acacia gum on the growth of bacteria from the Clostridium genus and on production of their corresponding toxin.

Increase in production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)

Given that Bifidobacteria produce short-chain fatty acids, an increase in their numbers would logically generate an accompanying rise in SCFA production. These health-beneficial fatty acids are 95% comprised of acetate, propionate and butyrate. While they all help to lower the pH of the milieu, each plays an additional, distinct role:

• Butyrate is used by epithelial cells in the colon to support growth and is often regarded as a key molecule in controlling a number of physiological functions (combatting gut permeability).
• Propionate is metabolised by liver cells and may play a role in regulating the metabolism of lipids and sugars.
• Acetate may be used more by peripheral tissue.

In a number of in vitro (13-14) and animal (15-16) studies, acacia gum fibre was shown to produce an increase in SCFAs, though results have been less clear in humans. Some researchers put this down to the difficulty in adequately recording fatty acid levels, as they tend to be rapidly absorbed by colon cells.

Thus two studies (17-18) failed to demonstrate a rise in SCFAs following daily supplementation with either 25g or 6g of acacia gum. As a result, acacia gum is not officially recognised as providing the beneficial effect of increased production of SCFAs for healthy populations as a whole.

Increase in satiety

Dietary fibre is recognised as helping to reduce calorie intake by increasing the feeling of satiety: in absorbing water, soluble fibre expands and produces a physical sensation of satisfaction in the stomach (19-21).

Other areas of interest

Scientists are also pursuing the following potential applications:

• Control of inflammation markers.
• Relief of irritable bowel and inflammation symptoms, the development of which has an effect on the permeability of the intestinal barrier.
• Support for renal metabolism. Researchers are particularly interested in the effects of high protein diets (common in Europe and the US) and of several risk factors (such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension) on kidney function. Some studies suggest that consuming acacia fibre could offer benefits in this field (reduction in uricaemia, gout attacks).
• Help in maintaining normal cholesterol levels.

Are there any risks or contraindications associated with taking acacia gum?

In 2001, the French government officially recognised acacia gum as a dietary source of soluble fibre (in the same way as Psyllium blond).

Data from clinical studies refers to its excellent digestive tolerance: incidence of flatulence, bloating and the abdominal cramps which often occur with soluble fibre are rare with acacia gum. This is because it is broken down more slowly by bacteria than most other prebiotics and because fewer fermentation compounds are produced (hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide) than with FOS (22). Taking 10g/day (2 scoops) produces no changes in the number of stools or faecal weight.

Reports of allergic intolerance to acacia gum are extremely rare.

The very latest scientific advances

The effects of supplementing with acacia gum on the visceral adiposity index and blood pressure in type 2 diabetics – March 2018

Since animal studies have shown that acacia gum may enhance lipid metabolism due to an antioxidant effect and improve capillary function, researchers were interested in its potential effects on the visceral adiposity index. This is both an indicator of fat distribution and of increased risk of abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridaemia.

Their study (25) involved 100 type 2 diabetics, 50 of whom took 30g/day of acacia gum, and 50 a placebo.

In those taking the supplement, levels of HDL (‘good’) cholesterol increased by around 20%, while there no change was seen in the placebo group. Triglyceride levels remained unchanged in both groups, while the visceral adiposity index decreased by 23.7% in those taking the acacia gum.

These findings support the conclusions of three other studies (one human (26) and two animal (27-28)), which demonstrated a potential anti-obesity effect from acacia gum. The researchers believe their results could be explained by possible improvements in glucose homeostasis (29).

None of the authors declared any conflict of interest in relation to this study.

Fermentation of acacia gum (in vitro): impact on faecal microbiota - January 2018

Two doses of acacia gum and fructo-oligosaccharides (another antibiotic) were tested over 48 hours in an artificially-recreated colon model (with the same pH, temperature and bacterial strains as are found in the human colon). Samples were taken at the start of the test, then at 5 hours, 10 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours.

Fermentation of acacia gum was found to promote Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus spp, a group of beneficial bacteria30. The effect lasted for 10 hours, and even as much as 24 hours, which could be evidence of slow fermentation, as suggested by previous studies (31). At the same time, the number of the pathogenic bacteria Clostridium histolyticum decreased during fermentation, supporting several existing theories. Finally, the production of SCFAs, particularly acetate, propionate and butyrate, also increased. The effects of the fructo-oligosaccharides were similar to those of acacia gum.

None of the authors declared any conflict of interest in relation to this study.