Gum arabic, alternatively known as E414 or acacia gum, comes from the sap of acacia trees. E414 is also used by the food and drug industries as an emulsifying agent because it helps hold mixtures together when they usually wouldn’t blend well. Additionally, it is used in dairy products, soybean products, canned foods, essential oils, soft drinks and syrups (gomme syrup), hard gummy candies, confectionery and other foods. Though Gum Arabic E414 is considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Gum Arabic E414?
Gum Arabic E414 is a pale white to orange-brown solid, which breaks with a glassy fracture. The best grades are in the form of whole, spheroidal tears of varying size with a matte surface texture. When ground, the pieces are paler and have a glassy appearance. It functions as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener for food and beverages.
Possible Side Effects of Gum Arabic E414
Although Gum ArabicE414 generally regarded as a very safe and effective supplement, there can be some minor side effects. The side effects may:
- The common side effects of acacia fiber are bloating, gas and loose stools. Less commonly, it can cause allergic reactions, such as conjunctivitis and rhinitis.
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Gum Arabic E414 is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Gum Arabic populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Gum Arabic E414.
Related Research
1. The development of immunoassays to identify and quantify species source of gum arabic. [J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec] Author: Ireland HE, Clutterbuck A, Cloquet JP, Thurston MI, Williams PA, Cronk QC, Dewey FM, Williams JH.
2. Metabolic characteristics of healthy adult males as affected by ingestion of a liquid nutritional formula containing fish oil, oligosaccharides, gum arabic and antioxidant vitamins. [Food Chem Toxicol. 1997 Dec] Author: Campbell JM, Fahey GC Jr, Demichele SJ, Garleb KA.