The Role of Incorporating Acacia Gum in Foods on Glucose Homeostasis in Healthy Humans

The Role of Incorporating Acacia Gum in Foods on Glucose Homeostasis in Healthy Humans: a Pilot Study

Abnormal postprandial blood glucose (PPG) is considered as a strong predictor for developing metabolic diseases worldwide. Nowadays, little understanding is available on how a carbohydrate-rich food matrix and the starch structures within interact with the gastrointestinal tract to help in controlling PPG. In this investigation, the use Acacia gum enriched flour will be used to explore the effect of adding the gum as food supplement on PPG in healthy humans.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female self-reported healthy volunteers (aged 18 to 40 years)
• Normal to overweight individuals (body mass index (BMI) 18.5-30 kg/m2) o BMI is equal to body weight (kg) divided by height squared (m2)

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of substance abuse
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• Any gastrointestinal disease e.g. irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Use of medications likely to interfere with energy metabolism, appetite regulation and hormonal balance, including: anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids, antibiotics, androgens, phenytoin, erythromycin or thyroid hormones.