Nexira’s inavea™ ACACIA Joins the Ranks of Dietary Fiber

Originally Published: January 31, 2022
Last Updated: February 28, 2022
Nexira’s inavea™ ACACIA Joins the Ranks of Dietary Fiber

Nexira continues to set the pace with science backed health and wellness ingredients. As the world leader in acacia (Arabic gum), Nexira began work five years ago to generate data necessary for dietary fiber status for acacia. On December 21, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration officially confirmed that gum acacia has physiological effects that are beneficial to human health, and therefore is in compliance with the dietary fiber definition. Thus, Nexira’s inavea™ ACACIA Joins the Ranks of Dietary Fiber, [1].

 This approval allows Nexira’s brands inavea™ and Fibregum™ to be included in the dietary fiber declaration on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels on foods and beverages marketed in the United States[2].

The research to substantiate this petition was stringent. Nexira’s proprietary clinical study launched in 2019 has supplied solid evidence to the FDA that acacia gum consumption has beneficial physiological effects on human health by attenuation of post-prandial blood glucose and insulin levels. Thirty-five normal-weight and overweight men and women who were otherwise healthy participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design study, often referred to as the “gold standard” for testing[3]. Postprandial (after meal) blood glucose and postprandial insulin were measured at baseline and at several time points for 180 minutes after consumption of the breakfast meal. Postprandial blood glucose and insulin, as measured by AUC and peak concentration, were both statistically significantly lower after consumption of gum acacia compared to control at both doses, 20g and 40g (P<0.05 for both doses). There was no dose-response effect observed between the two doses of gum acacia (P>0.05).

The challenge of closing the fiber gap looms large for consumers. The average American adult only eats 15g of fiber per day. Women need 25g of fiber per day, and men need 38g per day, according to the Institute of Medicine.[4] Intakes are just not increasing – mean fiber consumption has not changed since 1999. The food industry is seeking new convenient sources of fiber that are easy to incorporate into everyday foods. USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and clean label, inavea range is a valuable and viable solution with two options: acacia fiber [inavea pure acacia] and a combination of baobab and acacia [inavea baobab acacia]. With a minimum of 90% fiber content guaranteed, inavea pure acacia also offers a high digestive tolerance, up to 50g daily. inavea pure acacia and inavea baobab acacia both offer prebiotic effects. Using the SHIME model, an increase in the populations of healthy microbials (such as Bifidobacterium longum, Prevotella sp., F. Prausnitzii, lachnospiraceae and ruminococcaceae) as well as short chain fatty acid production was found[5]. Certified FODMAP-friendly, inavea pure acacia and inavea baobab acacia can be consumed by people with digestive disorders.

[1] Acacia Now Officially Confirmed as a Dietary Fiber FDA – Nexira

[2] FDA Grants Citizen Petition on Acacia (Gum Arabic) as a Dietary Fiber | FDA

[3] Uebelhack, 2020, Study report on the effect of gum acacia on post-prandial glucose and insulin levels in healthy subjects (publication in progress, available on the FDA website: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2020-P-2357-0003)

[4] Reicks M, Jonnalagadda S, Albertson AM, Joshi N. Total dietary fiber intakes in the US population are related to whole grain consumption: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009 to 2010. Nutr Res. 2014 Mar;34(3):226-34. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2014.01.002. PMID: 24655489.

[5] Marzorati M, Van den Abbeele P, Duysburgh C, DeBlaiser A, Van den Broeck M, Van Loo K, Van Boxelaer S, DeBruyne L. Comparative investigation of baobab fiber versus or in conjunction to Arabic gum using the SHIME® technology. ProDigest Gastrointestinal Expertise 2020 February 27: 2-4.

Nexira’s inavea™ ACACIA Joins the Ranks of Dietary Fiber

inavea™ — Functionality and Applications

Nexira’s inavea ACACIA Joins the Ranks of Dietary Fiber

As significant as its health benefits, inavea™ is the first carbon neutral brand of ingredients. Nexira sustainably sources acacia from the Sahel region of Africa, where it has been used locally in indigenous remedies for centuries. In a 100% voluntary approach, from harvesting to ingredient delivery, Nexira measures, reduces its greenhouse gas emissions, to offset its residual emissions for its range. inavea counts as zero in the carbon footprint of a finished product. Attesting to this, inavea was selected as a finalist in the Sustainability category at the 2021 World Food Innovation Awards[1].

Inavea is minimally processed, 100% soluble with good dispersibility and low viscosity / low hygroscopicity.  Tasteless, odorless and colorless inavea offers low carb / low caloric value which is easy-to-use in a large array of applications (dietary supplements, nutritional powders, bakery, cereal bars, dairy, beverages and more). It is a unique ingredient with both research substantiation and strong sustainability measures.

Nexira wishes to invite everyone to “Discover all the advantages of inavea pure acacia, fabulous acacia fiber on Nexira’s blog with their latest infographic.”

https://www.nexira.com/brand/inavea/

[1] inavea™ is finalist of the 2021 World Food Innovation Awards – Nexira

Visit the 2022 Clean Label Conference to be held May 24 & 25, 2022 in Chicago, IL, where Nexira will present more information on its inavea ingredient.

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