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:

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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