title: 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.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gum Arabic (acacia Senegal) is a complex polysaccharide indigestible to both humans and animals. It has been considered as a safe dietary fiber by the United States, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the 1970s. Although its effects were extensively studied in animals, there is paucity of data regarding its quantified use in humans. This study was conducted to determine effects of regular Gum Arabic (GA) ingestion on body mass index and body fat percentage among healthy adult females.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial was conducted in the Department of Physiology at the Khartoum University. A total of 120 healthy females completed the study. They were divided to two groups: A test group of 60 volunteers receiving GA (30 gm /day) for 6 weeks and a placebo group of 60 volunteers receiving pectin (1 gm/day) for the same period of time. Weight and height were measured before and after intervention using standardized height and weight scales. Skin fold thickness was measured using Harpenden Skin fold caliper. Fat percentage was calculated using Jackson and Pollock 7 caliper method and Siri equation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pre and post analysis among the study group showed significant reduction in BMI by 0.32 (95% CI: 0.17 to 0.47; P<0.0001) and body fat percentage by 2.18% (95% CI: 1.54 to 2.83; P<0.0001) following regular intake of 30 gm /day Gum Arabic for six weeks. Side effects caused by GA ingestion were experienced only in the first week. They included unfavorable viscous sensation in the mouth, early morning nausea, mild diarrhea and bloating abdomen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GA ingestion causes significant reduction in BMI and body fat percentage among healthy adult females. The effect could be exploited in the treatment of obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Medical Sciences & Technology, Khartoum, Sudan. rashat33@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rasha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Babiker
authors.forename: Tarig H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Merghani
authors.forename: Khalifa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elmusharaf
authors.forename: Rehab M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Badi
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Amal M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Saeed
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006170:Gum Arabic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D006170:Gum Arabic