By Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu
Acacia plant
Acacia, also called gum Arabic, Acacia senegal, and many more. According to studies has been used in medicines, baking ingredients, tools, and woodwork for centuries. Studies have linked this important plant to the ancient Egyptians and aboriginal tribes of Australia. It has been established that these tribes employed acacia in diverse ways, from making desserts to treating hemorrhoids. History has it that the first species ever discovered was given the name Acacia nilotica by the Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus in the 1700s, and since then, nearly 1,000 species have been added to the Acacia genus. The name Acacia itself refers to a genus of plants that includes many different types of plants, such as trees and shrubs. They can be used in a variety of applications.
Acacia, Science
WebMD explained that both animals and human studies suggest that benefits associated with acacia may include:
- Giving a source of prebiotics and soluble fiber.
- Enhancing healthy bacteria (probiotics) in the gut.
- Enhancing fullness and satiety.
- Supporting weight loss and the ability to prevent obesity.
- Treating IBS symptoms and constipation.
- Regulate cholesterol levels.
- Fighting insulin resistance, including in patients with type 2 diabetes( Chandalia et al. 2000).
- Decreasing dental plaque on the gums and teeth, plus fighting gingivitis.
- It is anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, due to its tannins, flavonoids, and resins(Al-Majed et al. 2002; Ali et al. 2010)
- Reduce skin inflammation and redness.
Acacia is regarded as natural, edible, and generally safe for human consumption. For instance, Anderson et al. (1986) found that it’s non-toxic, particularly when used in normal/moderate amounts and tolerated by people with sensitivities to gluten. Though acacia is known to be indigestible to both humans and animals, it has been regarded as a safe dietary fiber by the United States Food and Drug Administration since the 1970s.
Acacia is a natural prebiotic and source of soluble dietary fiber (a complex polysaccharide), which means that humans cannot digest its carbohydrates. This has benefits when it comes to gut health, digestion, and even cardiovascular health due to how soluble fiber helps bind to cholesterol.
Taking acacia ferments in the colon with help from bacteria/microorganisms. This helps to essentially “feed” good probiotic bacteria in the gut that have many important roles in the body. One study( Calame et al. 2008) found that four-week supplementation with 10 grams a day of acacia drastically increases in Bifidobacteria, Lactobacteria, and Bacteroides bacteria, indicating a prebiotic effect.
Due to its intense source of dietary fiber, acacia can help make people feel full, helping curb cravings and overeating, and possibly helping with weight loss and reduced cholesterol levels. This is further supported by one study by (Calame et al. 2011) which found that two different blends of acacia were able to decrease participants’ caloric intake drastically three hours after taking acacia. At doses of 40 grams, it produced a drastic decrease in energy intake of 100–200 kcal, while doses of 10 or 20 grams led to a reduction in energy intake of around 100 kcal.
Another study(Babiker et al. 2012) was conducted to examine the impacts of regular acacia ingestion on body mass index and body fat percentage among healthy adult females. This two-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial included 120 healthy females who were divided into two groups: a test group of 60 volunteers receiving GA (30 gm/day) for six weeks and a placebo group of 60 volunteers receiving pectin (1 gm/day) for the same period. The authors found that acacia ingestion causes a significant decrease in BMI and body fat percentage among healthy adult females” and that this effect could potentially be used in the treatment of obesity. Acacia is also considered a natural expectorant in Ayurveda.
Warning
Acacia has been found to interact with the efficacy of some medications. For example, it may prevent some antibiotics from being absorbed. Some forms of acacia contain toxic chemicals that could cause hair loss, affect your digestive tract’s ability to take in nutrients, and stunt growth.
Studies found that anywhere from 15 to 30 grams of acacia per day is a safe dose, but talk to your doctor before giving it to younger children or older adults. They may suggest adjusting dosage to avoid any potential digestive or absorption issues.
One study by Hegazy et al. (2013) conducted on rats showed that Acacia arabica could potentially treat diabetes in the future. But the research is in early stages and the effect is not completely understood.
Mechanism of Action
Acacia is a source of dietary fiber. It 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.
One study by Kala et al.(2015) found extract of a species of acacia known as Acacia catechu, can be used in dental products like mouthwash to prevent gingivitis. Powdered acacia can also be used in a type of herbal toothpaste that’s been shown to clean teeth without being too abrasive to the surface of your teeth. An older study by Ernst, E(2000) found that this herbal tooth powder cleaned and cleared well over two-thirds of tooth plaque, and nearly 100 percent in some cases.
Also, one study by William et al. 1992 showed that taking 15 grams of acacia gum in liquid form every day helped manage the concentration of plasma cholesterols in blood. Acacia gum contains water-soluble dietary fibers (WSDF) that are not only good fiber for your diet but also helpful in keeping your cholesterol under control.
Though published in 1992, this is the most comprehensive study on the effects of acacia gum on the blood to date. WSDF can also help you maintain a healthy weight and is good for general cardiovascular health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even made changes to regulations to recognize the beneficial use of acacia as a good fiber source in many popular foods, including cereals, juice, and yogurt.
Finally, one study by Babiker et al.(2012) found that Acacia gum has the possibility to keep your weight in a healthy range while also reducing your overall body fat. In a study involving 120 women, 60 women took 30 grams per day of acacia gum for six weeks, while the other 60 took a placebo containing just 1 gram of pectin. Results showed that women who took the acacia gum reduced their body mass index. Their body fat percentage was also reduced by over 2 percent. Also, Roozbeh and Darvish (2016) found that studies and documents were shown the effectiveness of Acacia Nilotica in decreasing the pelvic prolapse, and in improving the quality of life that women suffering from this disease and it is useful to drive back the uterus and anus when they come out( Ali et al. 2012; Farzana et al. 2014).
NB:
Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups. My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.
