GUM ARABIC: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Gum arabic is the gum that is exuded from certain trees, such as the Acacia senegal tree. It's a source of dietary fiber that can dissolve in water.

Gum arabic 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.

Gum arabic is used for high cholesterol, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse gum arabic with Acacia rigidula, acai, or cassie absolute (Acacia farnesiana). These are different plants with different effects.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for GUM ARABIC overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Gum arabic is likely safe when consumed in amounts commonly found in food. Gum arabic is possibly safe when taken as medicine. Up to 30 grams daily has been used safely for 6 weeks. It can cause minor side effects, including gas, bloating, and nausea.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gum arabic is safe when applied to the skin or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gum arabic is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Cross-allergies: People with known allergies to quillaja bark might have a reaction to gum arabic.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox) interacts with GUM ARABIC
Gum arabic can prevent the body from absorbing the antibiotic amoxicillin. To prevent this interaction, take gum arabic at least four hours before or after taking amoxicillin.
Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with GUM ARABIC
Gum arabic contains fiber. Taking gum arabic at the same time as medications that you take by mouth can affect how much medication the body absorbs. To prevent this interaction, take gum arabic at least one hour after medications you take by mouth.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of gum arabic might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Al Mustafa, Z. H. and Dafallah, A. A. A study on the toxicology of Acacia nilotica. Am J Chin Med 2000;28(1):123-129. View abstract.

Gazi, M. I. The finding of antiplaque features in Acacia Arabica type of chewing gum. J Clin Periodontol. 1991;18(1):75-77. View abstract.

Raghuprasad, P. K., Brooks, S. M., Litwin, A., Edwards, J. J., Bernstein, I. L., and Gallagher, J. Quillaja bark (soapbark)--induced asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1980;65(4):285-287. View abstract.

Alarifi S, Bell A, Walton G. In vitro fermentation of gum acacia - impact on the faecal microbiota. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2018;69(6):696-704. View abstract.

Ali NE, Kaddam LA, Alkarib SY, et al. Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) Augmented Total Antioxidant Capacity and Reduced C-Reactive Protein among Haemodialysis Patients in Phase II Trial. Int J Nephrol. 2020;2020:7214673. View abstract.

Babiker R, Elmusharaf K, Keogh MB, Banaga AS, Saeed AM. Metabolic effect of gum Arabic (Acacia senegal) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): randomized, placebo controlled double blind trial. Functional Foods in Health and Disease. 2017;7(3):222-34.

Babiker R, Elmusharaf K, Keogh MB, Saeed AM. 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 (CVD): a randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lipids Health Dis. 2018;17(1):56. View abstract.

Babiker R, Merghani TH, Elmusharaf K, et al. 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. Nutr J 2012;11:111. View abstract.

Beneke CE, Viljoen AM, Hamman JH. Polymeric plant-derived excipients in drug delivery. Molecules. 2009;14(7):2602-20. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Eltayeb IB, Awad AI, Elderbi MA, Shadad SA. Effect of gum arabic on the absorption of a single oral dose of amoxicillin in healthy Sudanese volunteers. J Antimicrob Chemother 2004;54:577-8. View abstract.

Fareed SA, Almilaibary AA, Nooh HZ, Hassan SM. Ameliorating effect of gum arabic on the liver tissues of the uremic rats; A biochemical and histological study. Tissue Cell 2022;76:101799. View abstract.

Fotisch K, Fäh J, Wüthrich B, et al. IgE antibodies specific for carbohydrates in a patient allergic to gum arabic (Acacia senegal). Allergy. 1998 Nov;53(11):1043-51. View abstract.

Gafar AM, Ramadan AM, ElSaid NA, Nurelhuda NM. Effect of Gum Arabic on plaque-induced gingivitis: A randomised controlled trial. Saudi Dent J 2022;34(6):494-502. View abstract.

Hosseinpour M, Fazeli A, Agabeigi M. Efficacy of Acacia senegal for stoma care in children with colostomy. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2012 22(3):234-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1308706. View abstract.

Ibrahim RM, Abdelhafez HM, El-Shamy SAE, Eid FA, Mashaal A. Arabic gum ameliorates systemic modulation in Alloxan monohydrate-induced diabetic rats. Sci Rep 2023;13(1):5005. View abstract.

Jarrar AH, Stojanovska L, Apostolopoulos V, et al. 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. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):194. View abstract.

Jensen CD, Haskell W, Whittam JH. Long-term effects of water-soluble dietary fiber in the management of hypercholesterolemia in healthy men and women. Am J Cardiol 1997;79:34-7. View abstract.

Jensen CD, Spiller GA, Gates JE, et al. The effect of acacia gum and a water-soluble dietary fiber mixture on blood lipids in humans. J Am Coll Nutr 1993;12:147-54. View abstract.

Kaddam L, Fadl-Elmula I, Eisawi OA, Abdelrazig HA, Saeed AM. Acacia senegal (gum arabic) supplementation modulate lipid profile and ameliorated dyslipidemia among sickle cell anemia patients. J Lipids 2019;2019:3129461. View abstract.

Kaddam LA, Fdl-Elmula I, Eisawi OA, Abdelrazig HA, Elnimeiri MK, Saeed AM. Biochemical effects and safety of Gum arabic (Acacia Senegal) supplementation in patients with sickle cell anemia. Blood Res 2019;54(1):31-7. View abstract.

Kamal E, Kaddam LA, Alagib A, Saeed A. Dietary Fibers (Gum Arabic) Supplementation Modulates Hepatic and Renal Profile Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients, Phase II Trial. Front Nutr 2021;8:552049. View abstract.

Larson R, Nelson C, Korczak R, et al. Acacia Gum Is Well Tolerated While Increasing Satiety and Lowering Peak Blood Glucose Response in Healthy Human Subjects. Nutrients 2021;13(2):618. View abstract.

Lust J. The herb book. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1999.

Mortensen A, Aguilar F, Crebelli R, et al. Re-evaluation of acacia gum (E 414) as a food additive. EFSA J. 2017;15(4):e04741. View abstract.

Nasir O, Alqadri N, Elsayed S, et al. Comparative efficacy of Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal) and Tribulus terrestris on male fertility. Saudi Pharm J. 2020;28(12):1791-1796. View abstract.

Pradeep AR, Happy D, Garg G. Short-term clinical effects of commercially available gel containing Acacia arabica: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Aust Dent J. 2010 Mar;55(1):65-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2009.01180.x. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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GUM ARABIC - Uses, Side Effects, and More