Acacia, The Perfect Prebiotic Ingredient

As the global leader in the supply of Gum Acacia [Gum Arabic], Nexira’s expertise in the use of acacia fiber as a prebiotic ingredient is based on results from multiple scientific studies over four decades. Nexira’s range of ingredients provides synergistic, prebiotic effect on digestive health.

Market Trends

Today’s consumers are increasingly more attentive to how their diet affects their gut health. According to FMCG Guru, 68% of consumers recognize the association between good digestive health and good overall health. Consequently, digestive health is the fastest growing condition-specific category. Consumers worldwide are increasingly seeking natural products, with a shorter and cleaner ingredient list [no additives, no synthetics, GMO-free]. As they adapt a healthier diet, demand is on the rise for organically-produced foods that contain ingredients such as prebiotics, including natural fibers, such as acacia fiber, that can be beneficial to their gut health. More than 6 in 10 consumers reported that they would be interested in buying a product that contains both a prebiotic and a probiotic. With many conventional medical doctors acknowledging the link between gut health and overall health, sales of prebiotics have surged in recent years. 

What is a Prebiotic? 

Nexira’s inavea™ Range of Ingredients

The inavea™ range of ingredients provides prebiotic effects for flora balance and gut comfort.

inavea™ PURE ACACIA is a gentle, non-digestible organic ingredient with high gut comfort and tolerance [up to 30g/day with no discomfort], that can improve the gut barrier.

Strong prebiotic properties were demonstrated from 10g/day: Acacia balances the colon’s microbial ecosystem, stimulates healthy bacteria, and activates the production of beneficial metabolites from microbiota. Two in vitro studies^1,2 have demonstrated SCFA synthesis is higher with prebiotic acacia compared to control and FOS, and CMC and Psyllium. The beneficial effects of SCFA production include colon acidification [healthy bacteria selection], improvement of intestinal mobility and the absorption of water and salts, while providing energy to the intestinal epithelium, and improving energy metabolism.

inavea™ BAOBAB + ACACIA selectively boosts the microflora, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria at 5g/day, which is two times lower than baobab or acacia alone. With its synergistic prebiotic effects, resulting in SCFA production and antioxidant activities, BAOBAB + ACACIA enables modulation of oxidative and inflammatory markers, maintaining digestive health.

Prebiotic Effects of inavea™

The prebiotic effects of acacia have been demonstrated for 4 decades in more than 40 studies. The clinical study of 2013 on the progressive fermentation of acacia³ demonstrated that acacia stimulates the growth of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. Prebiotics are defined by ISAP as a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are indicators of prebiotic stimulation with Bifidobacteria being the most significant organisms for gut health.⁴

Soluble dietary fiber stimulates colonic fermentation and thus the production of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), such as propionate, butyrate and acetate, that can have many potential benefits on the digestive tract, metabolic health, cardiovascular health and immunity.⁵

Prebiotic effects in the gut can be evaluated by assessing the increased or decreased production of health-related bacterial metabolites, growth of health-promoting bacteria, diversity index of bacterial strains, and a decrease in intestinal pathogens.⁶ A recent proprietary study by Nexira⁷ used a Triple SHIME® [Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem] to compare the prebiotic potential of Baobab fiber with Acacia, and with the combination [Baobab + Acacia], on the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota.
The synergies and significant prebiotic activities demonstrated in this study include increased SCFA production, a decrease of ammonium, and an increase of lactate, indicating lactic acid bacteria growth and lower pH, which favors the growth of beneficial bacteria.

inavea™ BAOBAB + ACACIA showed these proven synergistic prebiotic effects on digestive health, using a daily dose of 5g [two times lower than baobab or acacia alone].

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The First Range of Carbon Neutral Prebiotic Acacia

For 50 years, Nexira has been involved in sustainable development. The production of our acacia gum starts in the African Gum Belt, the sub-Saharan region extending through several countries from the East to the West Coast. Nexira works alongside the NGO SOS SAHEL to prevent deforestation and contribute to the economic and social development of the local populations. Carefully selected from the acacia tree, gum acacia is a dried exudate from the stem and branches of Acacia Senegal or Acacia Seyal trees found in the Gum Belt. Acacia gum is 100% plant-based and natural and is suitable for use in organic food products. Our organic ingredients such as inavea™ Pure Acacia and inavea™ baobab acacia count for zero emissions in the customer’s carbon footprint.