Diarrhea, or watery bowel movements, can be caused by medical conditions, medication, contaminated food or most often, the stomach flu. Although diarrhea in adults generally clears up on its own, it can greatly interfere with your life. Acacia fiber is one natural treatment used to relieve diarrhea, but talk to your doctor before using it.
Acacia Fiber and the Digestive System
Acacia gum, also known as gum arabic, is a soluble fiber from the acacia tree. While used as an additive for the consistency of food and added to medications, acacia is also used as a fiber supplement. It is also considered a prebiotic meant to encourage the growth of healthy digestive bacteria. Further, it retards fermentation in the colon.
Acacia for Diarrhea
Acacia is used specifically for diarrhea, as well as for overall digestive health. It is used to help regulate irritable bowel syndrome, which includes diarrhea as one of its associated symptoms. Acacia is also used in diarrhea medications as a demulcent, which helps coat the digestive system, and as a natural remedy for diarrhea, according to Purdue University.
Research
An October 1999 study in the “Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition” of rats with induced diarrhea, found that a solution with gum Arabic helped the rats absorb fluids and electrolytes to recover from diarrhea better than solutions without the gum Arabic. An August 2006 study in the “Journal of the American College of Nutrition” backed up these results and found that gum Arabic improved diarrhea in those with gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Warnings
Acacia is generally considered safe in food or medicine, but not enough research has been performed on its potential side effects. Nonetheless, it can cause allergic reactions like skin lesions and asthma attacks. It can also boost your cholesterol. Talk to your doctor before taking it in supplement form.
References
- MedlinePlus: Diarrhea
- “Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition”; Effect of Gum Arabic in an Oral Rehydration Solution on Recovery from Diarrhea in Rats; S. Teichberg, et al.; October 1999
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment: Acacia Fiber
- Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plants Produce: Acacia Senegal (L.) Willd.
- “Journal of the American College of Nutrition”; Enhancement of Absorption by Gum Arabic in a Model of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction; C.N. Codipilly, et al.; August 2006
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