Guar Gum

What is guar gum?

Guar gum or guaran is a soluble fiber extracted from Indian cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonolobus) ^[1]. It is an indigestible carbohydrate, a polysaccharide with high molecular weight made of galactose and mannose (a galactomannan). Guar gum is a highly soluble and highly viscous fiber ^[3]. In the human large intestine, it is fermented by intestinal bacteria to gases and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which can be absorbed and can provide 3-3.5 Calories per gram ^[2,27].

Guar Gum as a Food Additive

Guar gum is used as a spice or thickener in salad dressings, ice creams, frozen meats and other foods. It is also used as a binding agent in tablets.

Guar Gum Supplements: Possible Benefits

Guar gum tablets and capsules are available over-the-counter (OTC).

Guar gum added to carbohydrate meals reduced fasting blood glucose levels for about 10 mmol/L ^[10] and glucose and insulin spikes after meals in healthy persons and diabetics type 2 ^[1,16,17,18].

There is INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE about guar gum supplements in treating cholestasis in pregnancy ^[9] and high blood pressure ^[1,9]. In clinical trials lasting from 6 to 50 weeks, in individuals with increased blood cholesterol levels, guar gum (15-30 g/day) has lowered the total and LDL cholesterol for up to 20% (but did not affect triglycerides and HDL cholesterol) ^{[1,7,10,11,12,13,18]}. In some studies, the beneficial effect have persisted only for few months ^[12,14,15].

Several clinical trials have shown NO EFFECT of guar gum on weight loss ^[1,4,5].

Safety: Toxicity, Side Effects

Guar gum is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ^[21], and has an “ADI not specified” (the highest safety category) by JECFA ^[3].

Ingestion of large amounts of guar gum may cause abdominal bloating, pain or cramps, excessive gas (flatulence), loose stools, diarrhea, or esophageal or small bowel obstruction ^[26]. Guar gum may reduce the absorption of a glucose-lowering drug metformin and glyburide and antibiotic penicillin V ^[1].

Pregnancy. Not enough studies have been done to evaluate the safety of guar gum supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding ^[26].

Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG)

Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) is a natural guar gum with low viscosity, produced from guar gum ^[23]. PHGG may be used as an added fiber in ready-to-eat cereals, biscuits, breads, ice creams, yogurts, beverages and other foods and in fiber supplements.

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum may be help relieve abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) ^[7,8].
In one clinical trial in children 8-16 years old, PHGG helped to relieve functional abdominal pain (no known cause) ^[6].
In some human trials, PHGG has reduced LDL cholesterol levels.
PHGG added to the rehydration solution, in children with acute diarrhea ^[20] and in chronic diarrhea ^[22].
PHGG may help relieve constipation in children ^[24].

PHGG side effects may include mild abdominal bloating, flatulence, nausea or diarrhea. No toxicity of PHGG has been found ^[8].

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is guar gum gluten-free?

Yes.

2. What is the difference between guar and xanthan gum?

Guar gum is a natural gum extracted from cluster bean, while xanthan gum is an artificial gum.

Related Nutrients

Guar gum Drugs.com
Guar gum NutritionData; and data from the producers
Guar gum Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Wanders AJ et al, 2011, Effects of dietary fibre on subjective appetite, energy intake and body weight: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials PubMed
Pittler MH et al, 2004, Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Romano C et al, 2013, Partially hydrolyzed guar gum in pediatric functional abdominal pain PubMed Central
Slavin J, 2013, Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits PubMed Central
Parisi GC, 2002, High-fiber diet supplementation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a multicenter, randomized, open trial comparison between wheat bran diet and partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) PubMed
Gurung V et al, 2013, Interventions for treating cholestasis in pregnancy Cochrane Summaries
Lalor BC et al, 1990, Placebo-controlled trial of the effects of guar gum and metformin on fasting blood glucose and serum lipids in obese, type 2 diabetic patients PubMed
Toumilehto J et al, 1988, Long term treatment of severe hypercholesterolaemia with guar gum PubMed
Aro A et al, 1984, Effects of guar gum in male subjects with hypercholesterolemia The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Vuorinen-Makola H et al, 1992, Guar gum in insulin-dependent diabetes: effects on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Mclvor ME et al, 1986, Long-term effects of guar gum on blood lipids PubMed
Superko HR et al, 1988, Effects of solid and liquid guar gum on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in moderate hypercholesterolemia PubMed
Chuang LM et al, 1002, Therapeutic effect of guar gum in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus PubMed
Gatti E et al, 1984, Effects of Guar-enriched pasta in the treatment of diabetes and hyperlipidemia PubMed
Groop PH et al, 1993, Long term effects of guar gum in subjects with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Cicero AF et al, 2007, Different effect of psyllium and guar dietary supplementation on blood pressure control in hypertensive overweight patients: a six-month, randomized clinical trial PubMed
Alam NH et al, 2000, Partially hydrolyzed guar gum-supplemented oral rehydration solution in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children PubMed
DIRECT FOOD SUBSTANCES AFFIRMED AS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE [21CFR184.1339] US Food and Drug Administration
Alam N et al, 2005, Partially hydrolysed guar gum supplemented comminuted chicken diet in persistent diarrhoea: a randomised controlled trial PubMed Central
Yoon SJ et al, 2007, Chemical and Physical Properties, Safety and Application of Partially Hydrolized Guar Gum as Dietary Fiber PubMed Central
Üstündag G et al, 2010, Can partially hydrolyzed guar gum be an alternative to lactulose in treatment of childhood constipation? PubMed
Guar gum uses WebMD
Guar gum side effects WEbMD
Titgemeyer EC et al, 1991, Fermentabilty of various fiber sources by human fecal bacteria in vitro The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition