Overview

Gum arabic is a type of soluble dietary fiber that is commonly added to foods and drinks to improve their texture and flavor. It is also available over the counter in dietary supplements that are used for various health purposes. Common side effects may include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or gas. Before taking gum arabic, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is gum arabic used for?

Gum arabic is commonly used to improve the health of the heart, mouth, and gut. However, its benefits for these and other uses are not well defined.

Note: Gum arabic is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in foods. Learn more about GRAS status here. The FDA has not reviewed gum arabic dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does gum arabic work (mechanism of action)?

Gum arabic, also known as gum acacia, is a type of soluble fiber that comes from the stems and branches of certain acacia trees. It is commonly added to foods and drinks as a thickener and flavor enhancer. Products that contain gum arabic are usually made from either Acacia senegal or Acacia seyal.

Soluble dietary fiber is considered an important and healthy part of the diet. This type of fiber can help lower the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from the foods you eat and can also make you feel fuller after a meal. As a result, soluble fibers are often used to improve heart health. While they may not help with weight loss, most soluble fibers do seem to help lower cholesterol levels, which could help reduce the risk of heart disease. But it is not clear if gum arabic works as well as other soluble fibers, such as beta-glucans and glucomannan. It is also not clear how much gum arabic is needed to offer these benefits. Learn more about dietary fibers here.

Soluble fibers can also help with digestive health by keeping bowel movements regular and increasing the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. Because of this, gum arabic is sometimes used to help manage constipation and diarrhea. But it is not clear how much gum arabic is needed to help with these problems, and it is not expected to help with severe constipation or diarrhea.

Gum arabic may also be added to liquids that are applied inside the mouth. This is based on the idea that gum arabic may form a thin barrier along the cheeks and gums, reducing the amount of bacteria that grows in the mouth. But there is very little research on this use, and its benefits are not well defined.

Natural substances, such as gum arabic, contain various substances. The amounts of each substance in a specific gum arabic product may vary. Some, none, or all of these substances may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each substance is found in the product you are using.

How should I store gum arabic?

You should store gum arabic according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of gum arabic?

The most common side effects of gum arabic are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Bloating or gas
• Constipation or diarrhea

There may be other side effects of gum arabic that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of gum arabic?

While less common, the most serious side effects of gum arabic are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Gum arabic may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using gum arabic and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use gum arabic?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use gum arabic.

• Acacia gum
• Gum acacia
• Gum arabic
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific gum arabic products they stock.

What should I know about gum arabic before using it?

Gum arabic is added to foods and drinks to improve their texture and flavor. It is also available as a dietary supplement. These products cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep gum arabic out of the reach of children.

If you are taking gum arabic powder, use an accurate measuring device to measure the powder, such as the device included with the product. Read the label carefully and mix the powder with the amount of fluid stated on the label. Taking gum arabic with food may help reduce the risk of side effects.

The FDA has not tested gum arabic products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using gum arabic?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if gum arabic is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements.Gum arabic may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking gum arabic, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how gum arabic could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if gum arabic passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does gum arabic interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between gum arabic and foods or drinks, but taking gum arabic with food may help reduce the risk of side effects.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect gum arabic.

Does gum arabic interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Gum arabic may affect the absorption of some medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

The interactions between gum arabic and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with gum arabic is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking gum arabic with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much gum arabic?

If you or someone else has used too much gum arabic, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to take gum arabic safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.