Invisible health halos with soluble acacia fibre
Used as a low-calorie bulking agent in dairy, bakery and beverages applications, acacia gum supplier Nexira Fibregum is formulated to contain a minimum of 90% soluble dietary fibre.
Marketing manager at the firm Julie Imperato told us the ingredient allows manufacturers to increase the fibre content of products without changing the taste or texture - "there a huge fibre gap in people's diets", she said - as well as adding number of label-friendly claims to a product from natural and GMO-free to high in fibre and vegan.
But one of the main benefits of its patented Fibregum is its high level of intestinal tolerance, she said. Up to 50 g can be eaten daily without any signs of digestive discomfort, outperforming fructo-oligosaccharides.
Available as a free-flowing, white powder that is tasteless and odourless, it remains stable during changes in pH levels, temperature and yeast fermentation, and can be labelled on-pack as acacia gum, gum Arabic, acacia fibre or gum Arabic fibre.
Acacia gum also has an EU-backed health claim for its benefit in regulating blood sugar levels, and if manufacturers replace at least 30% of sugar in food or drink with acacia gum they can legally say the product “induces a lower blood glucose rise after consumption compared to sugar containing food or drinks”.
Headquartered in Rouen in the north of France, Nexira has a 45% market share of the global acacia gum supply.
© iStock Acacia gum in its unprocessed state.