Gum arabic is a type of plant-derived fiber. You can think of it as an edible “glue,” natural thickening agent and binder that helps hold ingredients together.
Gum arabic’s structure allows it to dissolve in cold or warm water (meaning it’s “water-soluble”), making it easy to use in a variety of ways. Because it is a natural, plant-derived product, it’s suitable for vegans/vegetarians (unlike other products with similar qualities, such as gelatin). It is also naturally gluten-free, usually non-GMO and well-tolerated by most people when used in appropriate/small amounts.
Due to its rich fiber content, gum arabic may offer benefits including increasing probiotic bacteria in the gut, promoting satiety following meals, slowing down gastric emptying and regulating hormone secretion, which helps manage appetite and weight.
All of that said, gum arabic (or acacia gum) is typically found in processed, packaged foods — many of which are high in sugar, low in nutrients and filled with other potentially harmful ingredients. While using gum arabic supplements or baking or cooking with small amounts of gum arabic at home may not be harmful, it’s still best to limit how much packaged food that contains lots of additives you eat in genera
