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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
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
Nutrition Journal, Volume 11, No. 1, Article 111, Year 2012
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Description
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. © 2012 Babiker et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Babiker, Rasha
Sudan, Khartoum
University of Khartoum Faculty of Medicine
Merghani, Tarig Hakim
Saudi Arabia, Tabuk
University of Tabouk
Elmusharaf, Khalifa
Bahrain, Muharraq
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical University of Bahrain
Badi, Rehab Mustafa
Sudan, Khartoum
University of Khartoum Faculty of Medicine
Lang, Florian C.
Germany, Tubingen
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Saeed, Amal Mahmoud
Sudan, Khartoum
University of Khartoum Faculty of Medicine
Statistics
Citations: 93
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1475-2891-11-111
e-ISSN:
14752891
Research Areas
Disability
Food Security
Noncommunicable Diseases
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Study Locations
Senegal
Participants Gender
Female