FAQs

What is acacia fibre?

Also known as acacia gum or gum Arabic, our acacia gum/fibre, Inavea™ PURE ACACIA, is a plant-based dietary soluble fibre. It is sourced from the sap of carefully selected acacia trees found in the Sahel, Africa. The hard and dried sap is obtained from the stems and branches of Acacia Senegal's species.

Inavea™ PURE ACACIA is classified as a dietary fibre with 90% of soluble fibre contents.

Our acacia fibre, is:
▪ 100% natural whole food
▪ Organic certified
▪ It is gluten free
▪ It is GMO free
▪ It is FODMAP Friendly certified
▪ It is carbon neutral certified

Acacia gum has been used for at least 4,000 years by local people in everyday applications, consumed for satiety and also used in traditional medicine to treat various infections such as intestinal diseases. 

Furthermore, acacia fibre is a sustainable food. The acacia tree has been found to restore soil fertility in degraded oil and promote the growth of crops as well as provide income to small farmers in the Sahel, Africa.

What is Inavea™ PURE ACACIA?

It is a trademark of Nexira which is the world leader in acacia fibre. Led by Nexira, the inavea™ Caring by Nature project focuses on the preservation of natural resources, the ecosystem, the origin of raw materials, and support of the local communities. Nexira’s long-term approach to sustainable development has culminated a neutral carbon footprint for inavea™ in 2021.

How and when is it harvested?

The harvesting season takes place during the dry season between November and May. It is harvested in a very similar way to another exudate you may be more familiar with, maple syrup from the Maple tree. The sap is harvested by cutting holes in the bark and branches of the tree. Then after approximately 6 weeks, enough sap will have been exuded for collection.

What and where is the transformation process?

▪ The transformation process is minimal and takes place at Nexira's laboatory in Normandy, France.
▪ No chemicals are used to purify and pasteurise the dried sap. It is then ground into powder.

What are the health benefits of acacia fibre?

More than 40 studies and 20 clinical trials have been performed over the last 30 years to understand the relationships between acacia fibre/gum and the gut microbiota (gut flora). It is widely recognised that acacia fibre has the following intestinal health benefits:

▪ Promote the growth of healthy bacteria such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria
▪ Inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as clostridium histolyticum group commonly associated with gut dysbiosis
▪ Stimulate the production of beneficial substances called Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) which are produced when your gut microbiota ferment fibres.

Acacia fibre has also a high gastro-intestinal tolerance, making it one of the most gentle fermenting fibres on your stomach. It is certified FODMAP Friendly. For those suffering from intestinal issues, acacia fibre offers the following benefits in addition to the above-mentioned ones.

▪ Regulate bowel motility
▪ Relieve abdominal bloating, pain and spasms.

What are SCFAs and why are they important?

Short-chain fatty acids are produced by the friendly bacteria in your gut when they ferment dietary fibre. About 95% of the SCFAs are:

▪ Acetate
▪ Butyrate
▪ Propionate

They act as a source of energy for the cells lining the colon. They play an important role in promoting health and preventing inflammation. They can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, colorectal cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. They offer the following benefits:

▪ Exhibit anti bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumoral properties.
▪ Restore intestinal barrier which in turn prevents toxins, pathogens, undigested food particles from entering your bloodstream.
▪ Increase insulin sensitivity
▪ Regulate blood sugar
▪ Reduce cholesterol levels
▪ Reduce risk of diverticular disease

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Though the name may be similar to its counterpart, prebiotics are not the same as probiotics. And despite what many people may think, they don’t actually contain bacteria. Instead, they feed your gut bacteria.

▪ Probiotics are a combination of live beneficial bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in your body. They can also be found in certain foods such as fermented foods or health supplements.
▪ Prebiotics are rich in fermentable dietary fibres such as acacia fibre.

Levels of prebiotics in foods tend to be quite low and everyone can benefit from supplementing their diet with prebiotics. You also usually ought to supplement with prebiotic fibre if and when taking probiotics.

Acacia fibre is qualified as a prebiotic (fermentable) fibre. It has a prebiotic effect at 5g (equivalent to 1 tablespoon). It has been demonstrated that acacia fibre increases the numbers of beneficial bacteria to a greater extent than other prebiotic fibres such as inulin (chicory fibre).

And while some prebiotic fibres have been found to induce symptoms of intestinal discomfort, acacia fibre is found to be well tolerated even at high doses.

If all prebiotics are fibre not all fibre is prebiotic.

The different types of fibres

Fibre comes from plant-based food and passes through your system undigested. Some fibre types dissolve in water, while others do not. Both soluble and insoluble fibres are important for your health.

▪ Soluble fibres: These are fibres that are soluble in water, which helps absorb the water in the gut. This slows the transit time of food through the gut. Soluble fibre takes on a gel-like consistency during digestion,

▪ Insoluble fibre: These fibres do not dissolve in water. Insoluble fibres function mostly as bulking agents, adding content to your stool. Unlike the soluble fibres, they do the opposite thing. They speed up transit time in the digestive system.

▪ Viscous fibres: These fibres are soluble fibres forming a gel type and slow down the digestion and absorption of nutrients, resulting in a prolonged feeling of fullness and reduced appetite.

▪ Fermentable fibres: These soluble fibres are digested (fermented) and used as fuel by the gut. Not all soluble fibres are fermentable.

Why are fibres an essential part of a healthful diet?

The role of fibre has extended far beyond improved bowel movement and includes great benefits on risk factors for cardiovascular disease, weight management and obesity, diabetes, immune function and colonic health.

How much fibre should we consume on a daily basis?

Concern is growing that most people fail to consume enough fibre on a daily basis in the western world.

▪ Fibre intake has remained very much the same for the last 50 years and well below the Heath authorities’ recommendations which are between 25g to 30g a day.

▪ In the late 60s Dr Burkitt’s recommended fibre intake of 50g a day. Today there is enough evidence that current recommendations are insufficient to maintain gut health and prevent the development of diseases. There is only one country in Europe, The Netherlands, which recommends 50g a day.

Can acacia fibre fill the gap?

Yes. Acacia fibre can boost your fibre intake (especially the fermentable fibres necessary to feed your gut bacteria).

▪ It is suggested to take between 5-10g of fermentable fibre a day.
▪ A tablespoon of acacia fibre represents approximately 5g of fermentable fibre

Is acacia fibre to be used as a replacement of fruits and vegetables and other dietary fibres?

No, it is not about eliminating or replacing food from your diet but adding to it.

It is important that you have a diet rich in both types of fibres (soluble and insoluble fibres) as well as consuming viscous and fermentable soluble fibres if you do not suffer from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases).

If you do you must restreint from high FODMAP fibres and favour FODMAP friendly soluble prebiotic fibre such as acacia fibre.

How and when to take acacia fibre?

It is crucial to increase slowly and gradually your fibre intake. Half a teaspoon twice a day to then increase by half a teaspoon every week.

Also consistency is key. It is best to take prebiotic fibre on a daily basis just like any other fibres. So the best time to take it is whenever you can stick to the routine of taking it every day.

Neutral in taste, acacia fibre can be easily added to a smoothie, porridge, yogurt, juice without altering the taste or texture (unlike psyllium husk, a more commonly used fibre supplement with a sawdust-like texture).

It is best to take it on an empty stomach.

What is the Fodmap Friendly certification?

It is the registered certification that food products have been laboratory tested to be low in FODMAPs. It is designed to enable consumers with intestinal issues and symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to easily identify and select suitable packaged food products.

What are FODMAPs?

FODMAPs are types of carbohydrates found in certain foods, including wheat and beans. Studies have shown strong links between FODMAPs and digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

FODMAP is an acronym that stands for:
Fermentable – meaning they are broken down (fermented) by bacteria in the large bowel
Oligosaccharides – “oligo” means “few” and “saccharide” means sugar. These molecules made up of individual sugars joined together in a chain
Disaccharides – “di” means two. This is a double sugar molecule.
Monosaccharides – “mono” means single. This is a single-sugar molecule.
And
Polyols – these are sugar alcohols (however don’t lead to intoxication!)

Common FODMAPs include:

▪ Fructose: a simple sugar found in many fruits and vegetables that also makes up the structure of table sugar and most added sugars
▪ Lactose: a carbohydrate found in dairy products like milk
▪ Fructans: found in many foods, including grains like wheat, spelt, rye and barley
▪ Galactans: found in large amounts in legumes
▪ Polyols: sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol, and mannitol. They are found in some fruits and vegetables and often used as sweeteners