Gum arabic
Scientific names: Acacia senegal, Acacia arabica, Acacia verek, Mimosa senegal, Senegalia senegal
Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae
Alternate names: Acacia, Acacia Gum, Arabic Gum, Arbre à Gomme Arabique, Bum Senegal, Bomme Arabique, Bomme de Senegal, Bummae Momosae, Goma Arábiga, Gomme Acacia, Gomme Arabique, Gomme d'Acacia, Gomme de Senegal, Gomme Sénégal, Gommier Blanc, Gum Acacia, Gum Senegal, Gummae Mimosae, Indian gum, Khadir, Kher, Kumatia
Actions: Antimicrobial, Gastrointestinal, Weight loss
Background
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.
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.
Safety Safety definitions
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.
Cross-allergies: People with known allergies to quillaja bark might have a reaction to gum arabic.
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 & 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.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using gum arabic for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
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.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
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)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
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.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all products
Per 6 g (Orange Mango):
- Acacia catechu (Acacia) 1.2 g
- Glutamine 2 g
- Ulmus rubra powder 750 mg
- Curcuma longa phospholipids (Turmeric) 50 mg equiv. curcuminoids 10 mg
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 50 mg
- Zinc gluconate 58.14 mg equiv. zinc 7.5 mg
- Pectin 600 mg
- Quercetin dihydrate 200 mg
- Cynara scolymus ext. 100 mg
- Althaea officinalis ext. 533.34 mg
Per 2.5 g (Unflavoured):
Per 7.5 g:
- Acacia catechu (Acacia) 300 mg
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar gum (SunFibre®)) 6 g
- Tapioca maltodextrin
- Fragaria ananassa (juice) powder (Strawberry)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) puree (Acai)
- Camellia sinensis ext. 75 mg
- Ribes nigrum (fruit) juice dry
- Lycium barbarum (fruit) (Goji)
- Punica granatum
- Sambucus nigra (fruit)
- Vaccinium corymbosum (fruit) powder
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Rubus idaeus juice
Per bar:
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
- Soy protein isolate
- Whey protein concentrate
- Calcium caseinate
- Maltitol
- Cocoa solids
- Milk solids powder
- Soy lecithin
- Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (E-476)
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Polydextrose
- Glycerol
- Sorbitol
- Sunflower oil
- Natural flavours
- Stevia rebaubiana (Steviol glycosides)
- Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E)
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate
- Ferrous fumarate (Iron)
- Zinc bisglycinate
- Chromium nicotinate
- Copper gluconate
- Manganese amino acid chelate
- Potassium iodide (Iodine)
- Biotin
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids)
Per bar:
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
- Soy protein isolate
- Whey protein concentrate
- Calcium caseinate
- Maltitol
- Cocoa solids
- Milk solids powder
- Soy lecithin
- Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (E-476)
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Polydextrose
- Glycerol
- Sorbitol
- Sunflower oil
- Natural flavours
- Stevia rebaubiana (Steviol glycosides)
- Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E)
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate
- Ferrous fumarate (Iron)
- Zinc bisglycinate
- Chromium nicotinate
- Copper gluconate
- Manganese amino acid chelate
- Potassium iodide (Iodine)
- Biotin
- Cocoa powder
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids)
Per bar:
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
- Soy protein isolate
- Whey protein isolate
- Calcium caseinate
- Maltitol
- Cocoa solids
- Milk solids powder
- Soy lecithin
- Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (E-476)
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Polydextrose
- Glycerol
- Sorbitol
- Sunflower oil
- Natural flavours
- Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E)
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
- D-calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate
- Ferrous fumarate (Iron)
- Zinc bisglycinate
- Chromium nicotinate
- Copper gluconate
- Manganese amino acid chelate
- Potassium iodide (Iodine)
- Biotin
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids)
- Stevia rebaubiana (Steviol glycosides)
Per 5 g (Spiced Vanilla):
Per serve (Berry Burst):
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
- Rubus idaeus
- Medicago sativa
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (sprout) powder (Broccoli)
- Buckwheat lettuce
- Chlorella vulgaris powder
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Brassica oleracea (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Spinacia oleracea
- Petroselinum crispum
- Malus (Apple)
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Pyrus communis (Pear)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Citrus aurantiifolia (Lime)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Urtica dioica
- Mentha x piperita
- Camellia sinensis
- Apium graveolens
- Cucumis sativus
- Magnesium citrate
- Potassium citrate
- L-glutamine
- Calcium citrate
- Natural flavours
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf) ext. dry
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. dry
- Curcuma longa ext. dry
- Withania somnifera ext. dry
- Camellia sinensis ext. dry
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext. dry
- Aloe barbadensis ext. dry
- Gardenia jasminoides ext. dry
- Piper nigrum ext. dry
- Magnesium gluconate
- Apple pectin
- L-alanine
- Xanthan gum
- L-histidine
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Potassium ascorbate (Vitamin C)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Zinc gluconate
- Ferrous fumarate (Iron)
- Manganese citrate
- Selenomethionine (Selenium)
- Vitamin D
- Chromium picolinate
Per capsule:
- Acacia sp. (Acacia) (gum)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (sprout) powder
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (seed) powder
- Eurycoma longifolia (root) ext. dry
- Rosmarinus officinalis (leaf) ext.
- Hypromellose
- Brassica oleracea (leaf & sprout) powder (Kale)
- Raphanus sativus (fruit) powder
- Theobroma cacao (fruit) powder
- Citrus limon (peel) (Lemon)
- Fucus vesiculosus (leaf) ext. dry
- Silicon dioxide
- Magnesium stearate
Per 7 g:
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Malus (Apple)
- Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon)
- Siraitia grosvenorii (Monk fruit)
- Brassica oleracea (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Lycium barbarum (fruit) (Goji)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (sprout) powder
- Curcuma longa (rhizome)
- Malpighia glabra (fruit) powder
- Medicago sativa
- Punica granatum
- Rubus idaeus
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Fructooligosaccharides
- Pyrus communis (Pear)
- Lentinula edodes
- Urtica dioica
- Buckwheat lettuce
- Mentha x piperita
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Green banana starch
- Oryza sativa (Rice fibre)
- Xanthan gum
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brewer’s yeast)
- Rhodophyta (Red seaweed)
- Berry flavour
Per 30 g (Choc & Coconut):
Per 30 g (Chocolate Caramel):
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Natural flavours
- Sea mineral complex
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Cinnamomum verum powder
- Glycyrrhiza glabra powder
- Zingiber officinale powder
- Taraxacum officinale powder
- Ginkgo biloba powder
- Eleutherococcus senticosus powder
- Silybum marianum powder
- Capsicum spp. powder
- Centella asiatica powder
- Syzygium aromaticum powder
- Stevia rebaubiana (leaf) ext.
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain)
- Cocoa powder
Per 30 g (Salted Caramel):
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Plukenetia volubilis (Sacha Inchi Protein)
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Sweet potato powder
- Cucurbita pepo (seed)
- Sunflower seed
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed)
- Millet
- Quinoa powder
- Chia (seed)
- Molasses (Cane juice)
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain)
Per 5 g:
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG))
- Bambusa vulgaris (fibre)
- Cichorium intybus (root) (Chicory)
- Malus (fibre) powder (Apple)
- Glucomannan powder
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) flour (Flaxseed)
- Plantago ovata (husk) (Psyllium)
- Prunus domestica powder (Prune)
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Apple pectin
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
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This monograph was last reviewed on 19/03/2022 01:11:20 and last updated on 13/09/2022 04:49:44. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
