Origin and history 

Acacia fiber, also known as acacia gum, is soluble fiber obtained from the sap of the acacia tree (Acacia senegal). The tree is native to Africa and grows in the dry, desert-like conditions of the Sahel, which stretches from Senegal to Sudan.  

The use of acacia fiber can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where it was used to make ink, adhesives and medicines. The Egyptians also used acacia gum as a food additive and as a binding agent for pigments in painting.  

In the 19th century, European colonizers began to recognize the potential of acacia fiber for use in the food industry, particularly as a stabilizer and thickener. Acacia fiber has also been used as a medicine to treat various digestive disorders such as diarrhea and dysentery.  

In the 20th century, demand for acacia fiber increased as the food industry sought to reduce the use of artificial additives and stabilizers. Today, acacia fiber is used in a variety of foods, including baked goods, dairy products, and beverages. They are also used as dietary supplements due to their prebiotic properties that can support digestive health.  

Acacia fiber is now produced in many parts of the world, including Africa, Australia and America. However, Africa remains the main source of acacia fiber, with Sudan and Senegal being the largest producers.  

Acacia tree

Acacia fiber, also known as gum acacia, is a soluble fiber obtained from the sap of the acacia tree. It has numerous health benefits and is becoming increasingly popular as a dietary supplement. Acacia fiber supports digestive health, reduces inflammation and prevents digestive problems such as constipation and diarrhea. They have a positive effect on blood sugar levels, reduce appetite and support weight loss.  

Prebiotic effect

Acacia fiber, a type of soluble fiber, has potential health benefits, according to recent studies. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry examined the prebiotic effect of acacia fiber on the gut microbiota of healthy volunteers and found that acacia fiber increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.  

Another study published in the journal Nutrients examined the effect of acacia fiber on body weight in overweight adults and found that taking acacia fiber resulted in significant weight loss . Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods showed that eight weeks of acacia fiber supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in total cholesterol levels in healthy participants .  

Anti-inflammatory effect

In addition to regulating weight and lowering cholesterol levels, acacia fiber is also said to have an anti-inflammatory effect . A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food examined the effects of acacia fiber supplementation on inflammatory markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes and found that acacia fiber significantly reduced plasma levels of interleukin-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine.  

In addition, new studies have found that acacia fiber has a positive influence on the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids in the body. The absorption is facilitated, which is beneficial for our body since omega-3 fatty acids provide numerous health benefits and reduce the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disorders.  

Overall, these results suggest that acacia fiber may have potential health benefits for improving gut microbiota, controlling body weight, lowering cholesterol, and relieving inflammation. However, further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms behind these effects and to determine the optimal dosage and duration of acacia fiber intake.  

Which AgilNature products contain acacia fiber ? 

*Nutrient Reference Value = Percentage of the reference value according to Appendix XIII of the Food Information Regulation (EC) No. 1169/2011.  

** No recommendation available.  

Literature: 

1. López-Expósito, I., Ferrer, R., Farràs, M., et al. (2020). Prebiotic effect of acacia fiber on the gut microbiota of healthy volunteers. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 68(45), 12702-12710. 
2. Bottari, A., et al. (2018). Acacia fiber for weight management in overweight adults: A randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 10(5), 587. 
3. Menezes, EW, et al. (2021). Effect of acacia fiber supplementation on lipid profile: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Functional Foods, 79, 104428. 
4. Noori, A., et al. (2020). Acacia fiber as a potential therapeutic option for type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Journal of Medicinal Food, 23(6), 612-619. 
5. Maeusli M, Skandalis N, Lee B, Lu P, Miller S, Yan J, Talyansky Y, Li R, Reyna Z, Guerrero N, Ulhaq A, Slarve M, Theologidis I, Spellberg B, Luna B. Acacia Fiber Protects the Gut from Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli Colonization Enabled by Antibiotics. mSphere. 2022 Jun 29;7(3):e0007122. doi: 10.1128/msphere.00071-22. Epub 2022 May 18. PMID: 35582906; PMCID: PMC9241499. 
6. Slavin J. Fiber and prebiotics: mechanisms and health benefits. Nutrients. 2013 Apr 22;5(4):1417-35. doi: 10.3390/nu5041417. PMID: 23609775; PMCID: PMC3705355. 
7. Saha, Manas Ranjan, and Priyankar Dey. “Pharmacological benefits of Acacia against metabolic diseases: intestinal-level bioactivities and favorable modulation of gut microbiota.” Archives of physiology and biochemistry, 1-17. Aug 19, 2021, doi:10.1080/13813455.2021.1966475 
8. Couëdelo L, Joseph C, Abrous H, Chamekh-Coelho I, Vaysse C, Baury A, Guillemet D. Effect of Gum Acacia on the Intestinal Bioavailability of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Rats. Biomolecules. 2022 Jul 12;12(7):975.