Let’s discover all the uses of gum arabic, on the table and not only …

Produced from the branches of Acacia plants, gum arabic is the natural ingredient that prevents the crystallization of sugars, is easily digestible and used in multiple sectors!

Nature always offers us many beneficial ingredients for the health of our body and for its best maintenance. This is the case of gum arabic from Acacia plants from different parts of the world and suitable for multiple uses.

It can be used in the food , pharmaceutical, cosmetic and artistic sectors. Among its capabilities there is that of avoiding the crystallization of sugars, maintaining humidity , flavor and color uniformity. It can stabilize, improve the spreadability of many products and much more!

Arabica gum, what it is and how to use it

Arabica gum is a natural substance that is expelled from the trunks of Acacia trees, initially in a soft and chewy form. The most famous is today the one coming from Senegal but there are also those from the Nile, Australia, Somalia and Morocco.

Once produced and released from the trunk, it hardens in contact with the air and is collected in solid form and then purified before being marketed. It has multiple uses and we find it especially in the food industry , but also in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chromatic industries.

It is mainly used to: stabilize, improve spreadability, prevent sugar crystallization and emulsify fats by distributing them more evenly. In addition, it maintains aromas, humidity, flavors and color uniformity (for this reason it is found in some watercolors or colored transparencies).

It is an excellent substitute for starch since, compared to the latter, it has half the calories , is digestible (even for those with gluten intolerance ) and makes food last longer. In short, a real food panacea to really try in all sauces!

Contraindications and composition

At a chemical level, gum arabic is a compound of calcium, magnesium and potassium salts of arabic acid. Given its natural composition and its plant derivation, there are no contraindications to its intake.

It can be considered a mucilaginous antidiarrheal and a natural emollient against dysentery or other enteritis. Finally, for a maximum of 10 grams per day, it can be considered a useful prebiotic for our intestines!

Photo source: https://pixabay.com/it/photos/gomma-arabica-resina-di-acacia-763043/.