| HEALTH AND NUTRITION > FIBREGUM™ HEALTH EFFECTS |  print |
The health benefits of Acacia Gum have been empirically known for thousands of years as Sahel populations and Indians have traditionally consumed it for preventing and treating gastro-intestinal disorders for instance. Moreover, Acacia Gum belongs to all great Pharmacopoeias (EU, USA, Japan…) and has many medicinal uses. Since the late 70's and the birth of the fibre concept, scientists began to be interested in the health properties of Acacia Gum and today, there are more than 80 scientific papers describing them.
Made up of selected Acacia gum, FIBREGUM™ is a product of choice for all healthy and innovative new products. All its nutritional properties have been proven by an in-depth clinical test program, and an independent international committee composed of experts has been set to ensure program integrity.
Customers wishing to develop nutritional applications may ask a complete scientific file gathering all the relevant scientific data on FIBREGUM™.
Please check below some of the benefits brought by FIBREGUM™:
In the colon, FIBREGUM™ is fermented by the beneficial intestinal flora, with as a result strong production of short chain fatty acids that protect the intestinal epithelium.
This bifidogenic effect is effective from a dose of 10g/day, and even at a lower dose.
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) including lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are thought to be beneficial for the host as they are associated with beneficial health effect. This group of bacteria can protect the host by inhibiting potential harmful bacteria (e.g. Clostridum , Staphylococcus ,…) through different mechanisms.
The first studies performed in vitro showed that among different genus of bacteria from human faeces, bifidobacteria strains were able to use FIBREGUM™ for their growth.
In a batch in vitro system, May et al were able to demonstrate an increase in the total anaerobes quantity with FIBREGUM™.
Moreover, in vitro studies clearly demonstrate that FIBREGUM™ inhibits quantity of Clostridium sp, known to cause various diseases.
Concentrations of Bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and total lactic acid bacteria groups were significantly increased with FIBREGUM™ at the dose of 10g/day compared to control, without affecting neutral groups as Bacteroides.
These experimental studies permit to conclude that FIBREGUM™ is a prebiotic at the dose of 10g/d and that the extent of the effect is at least equal to the effect of Fos.
Back to topThe gas production associated to FIBREGUM™ degradation is much lower than with Fos for instance , and very progressive as well. That's why FIBREGUM™ is well tolerated and doesn't cause flatulence or other unwelcome side effects.
Contrary to other low-viscosity fibres, such as oligo-saccharides, FIBREGUM™ does not exhibit laxative side-effects . Indeed, large amounts of undigested low molecular weight molecules increase the osmotic pressure inside the small intestine, stimulating the migration of water from the body to the lumen and therefore provoking diarrhoea by excess of water.
Thanks to its polymeric nature Acacia Gum does not disturb the osmotic pressure and thus is very comfortably tolerated. Clinical tests with human subjects showed that FIBREGUM™ do not present any side effects at dosages up to 50 grams per day.
Thus, no warning, such as "excessive consumption may produce laxative effect" is necessary.
Back to topThe intrinsic glycaemic index of FIBREGUM™ is extremely low as it is not digested in the small intestine. Moreover, studies have shown that FIBREGUM™ reduces the plasma glucose peak subsequent to consumption of sugar.
This effect makes FIBREGUM™ particularly suitable for the development of food products (e.g. Bakery, cereal bars, biscuits, etc) with medium or low glycaemic index . This characteristic could be labelled on the packaging to inform consumers and health professionals.
Back to topBecause of its resistance to digestion by human enzymes, FIBREGUM ™ has a low calorific (energy) value , and is suitable for diet and low-cal products. A scientific evaluation estimated the caloric value of FIBREGUM™ between 1,3 and 1,8 kcal/g (5,5 kJ and 7,7 kJ/g) .
However for labelling purpose, FIBREGUM™ calorific value varies from one country to another because of the local regulations.
Acacia Gum is not digested in the small intestine and therefore does not constitute a source of metabolisable energy in that part. However, as other fermentable dietary fibre, it is fermented by the bacteria present in the large bowel, leading to the synthesis of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are metabolised by epithelial cells of the intestinal wall and other peripheral tissues such as the liver. Therefore, the caloric value of Acacia Gum is not zero.
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In the human mouth Acacia Gum resists hydrolysis by salivary enzymes and local flora, which explains that it is a no cariogenic product.
NB: Conditions of use of the « Happy tooth » logo represented here can be obtained from Toothfriendly_Sweets_International .
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