Acacia Gum Is Well Tolerated While Increasing Satiety and Lowering Peak Blood Glucose Response in Healthy Human Subjects.

2021-02-14
Nutrients 13(2)
- Riley Larson
- Courtney Nelson
- Renee Korczak
- Holly Willis
- Jennifer Erickson
- Qi Wang
- Joanne Slavin

PubMed: 33672963
DOI: 10.3390/nu13020618

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: healthy human subjects (n = 48)
Methods: fed 0, 20, and 40 g of acacia gum in orange juice along with a bagel and cream cheese after a 12 h fast and compared satiety, glycemic response, gastrointestinal tolerance, and food intake
Blinding: Open-label
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

Acacia gum (AG) is a non-viscous soluble fiber that is easily incorporated into beverages and foods. To determine its physiological effects in healthy human subjects, we fed 0, 20, and 40 g of acacia gum in orange juice along with a bagel and cream cheese after a 12 h fast and compared satiety, glycemic response, gastrointestinal tolerance, and food intake among treatments. Subjects (n = 48) reported less hunger and greater fullness at 15 min (p = 0.019 and 0.003, respectively) and 240 min (p = 0.036 and 0.05, respectively) after breakfast with the 40 g fiber treatment. They also reported being more satisfied at 15 min (p = 0.011) and less hungry with the 40 g fiber treatment at 30 min (p = 0.012). Subjects reported more bloating, flatulence, and GI rumbling on the 40 g fiber treatment compared to control, although values for GI tolerance were all low with AG treatment. No significant differences were found in area under the curve (AUC) or change from baseline for blood glucose response, although actual blood glucose with 20 g fiber at 30 min was significantly less than control. Individuals varied greatly in their postprandial glucose response to all treatments. AG improves satiety response and may lower peak glucose response at certain timepoints, and it is well tolerated in healthy human subjects. AG can be added to beverages and foods in doses that can help meet fiber recommendations.

Research Insights

Acacia→Increased Blood Glucose Levels
actual blood glucose with 20 g fiber at 30 min was significantly less than control.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g
Acacia→Increased Fullness
Subjects (n = 48) reported less hunger and greater fullness at 15 min (p = 0.019 and 0.003, respectively) and 240 min (p = 0.036 and 0.05, respectively) after breakfast with the 40 g fiber treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
40 g
Acacia→Increased Satisfaction
They also reported being more satisfied at 15 min (p = 0.011) and less hungry with the 40 g fiber treatment at 30 min (p = 0.012).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
40 g
Acacia→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels
No significant differences were found in area under the curve (AUC) or change from baseline for blood glucose response, although actual blood glucose with 20 g fiber at 30 min was significantly less than control.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g and 40 g
Acacia→Reduced Hunger
Subjects (n = 48) reported less hunger and greater fullness at 15 min (p = 0.019 and 0.003, respectively) and 240 min (p = 0.036 and 0.05, respectively) after breakfast with the 40 g fiber treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
40 g

Adverse Events Reported

Acacia→bloating
Subjects reported more bloating, flatulence, and GI rumbling on the 40 g fiber treatment compared to control
Finding
Increased risk
Acacia→flatulence
Subjects reported more bloating, flatulence, and GI rumbling on the 40 g fiber treatment compared to control
Finding
Increased risk
Acacia→gi rumbling
Subjects reported more bloating, flatulence, and GI rumbling on the 40 g fiber treatment compared to control
Finding
Increased risk
Acacia→Overall tolerability
AG improves satiety response and may lower peak glucose response at certain timepoints, and it is well tolerated in healthy human subjects.
Finding
Reported