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

Abstract

BackgroundGum Arabic (acacia Senegal) is a complex polysaccharide indigestible to both humans and animals. It has been considered as a safe dietary fiber by the United States, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the 1970s. Although its effects were extensively studied in animals, there is paucity of data regarding its quantified use in humans. This study was conducted to determine effects of regular Gum Arabic (GA) ingestion on body mass index and body fat percentage among healthy adult females.MethodsA two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial was conducted in the Department of Physiology at the Khartoum University. A total of 120 healthy females completed the study. They were divided to two groups: A test group of 60 volunteers receiving GA (30 gm /day) for 6 weeks and a placebo group of 60 volunteers receiving pectin (1 gm/day) for the same period of time. Weight and height were measured before and after intervention using standardized height and weight scales. Skin fold thickness was measured using Harpenden Skin fold caliper. Fat percentage was calculated using Jackson and Pollock 7 caliper method and Siri equation.ResultsPre and post analysis among the study group showed significant reduction in BMI by 0.32 (95% CI: 0.17 to 0.47; P<0.0001) and body fat percentage by 2.18% (95% CI: 1.54 to 2.83; P<0.0001) following regular intake of 30 gm /day Gum Arabic for six weeks. Side effects caused by GA ingestion were experienced only in the first week. They included unfavorable viscous sensation in the mouth, early morning nausea, mild diarrhea and bloating abdomen.ConclusionsGA ingestion causes significant reduction in BMI and body fat percentage among healthy adult females. The effect could be exploited in the treatment of obesity.

Gum Acacia Improves Renal Function and Ameliorates Systemic Inflammation, Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats with Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease

“…Another possible factor in the salutatory action of GA may be obesity, which is known to be a significant problem and a modifiable risk factor in patients with many diseases, including CKD, and the prevalence of obesity is progressively increasing in the general population, including CKD patients [40]. GA has been reported to reduce body weight of normal rats and obese humans [26, 30, 41]. Therefore, it is also likely that the salutary effect of GA might be related, among other factors, to the body weight reduction observed in rats affected with CKD.…”

Renal and Extrarenal Effects of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) - What Can be Learned from Animal Experiments?

“…GA treatment decreases body mass index and body fat percentage among healthy adult females, and effect, which could be exploited in the treatment of obesity [67]. …”

Obese Mice Fed a Diet Supplemented with Enzyme-Treated Wheat Bran Display Marked Shifts in the Liver Metabolome Concurrent with Altered Gut Bacteria

“…Therefore, the need for affordable, accessible, and safe approaches to body-weight control and improved metabolic health are in high demand. Changes in dietary patterns, such as increased dietary fiber intake, have been shown to be effective in body-weight reduction and improved metabolic function, at least in some contexts (5)(6)(7)(8). Despite the proposed benefits of increased dietary fiber intake, most adults consume less than half the recommended amount (9) and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans named dietary fiber as a nutrient of concern (10).…”