Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Gum Arabic may reduce obesity markers and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes

Last updated September 1, 2026

Key finding

BMI decreased by 2% in GA group.

This study evaluated the impact of Gum Arabic supplementation on obesity markers and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes patients, finding significant reductions in several obesity metrics.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Short-Term (≤3 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study evaluated the impact of Gum Arabic supplementation on obesity markers and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes patients, finding significant reductions in several obesity metrics.

Clinical relevance

These findings suggest that Gum Arabic could be a beneficial dietary supplement for managing obesity and hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes, potentially leading to improved health outcomes and reduced cardiovascular risk.

Keep in mind

Limited sample size may affect generalizability. Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects. No significant changes in waist circumference or triglycerides.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Rasha B, Khalifa E, Michael BK, Amal MS. The effect of Gum Arabic supplementation on anthropometric obesity markers and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2018;17:56. doi:10.1186/s12944-018-0711-y

Main Effects

Gum Arabic supplementation reduced BMI by 2% (p=0.007).

Visceral Adiposity Index decreased by 23.7% in the GA group (p=0.022).

Systolic blood pressure decreased by 7.6% in the GA group (p=0).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Gum Arabic and BMI, Body adiposity index, Change in Visceral Adiposity Index, and 5 more.

Primary intervention

Gum Arabic

Primary outcomes

  • BMI
  • Body adiposity index
  • Change in Visceral Adiposity Index

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

8
Evidence pairs
8
Relationships
3
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

3

Related topics

8

Evidence pairs

660

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 8 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 3 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Add related evidence to your Evidence Tracker

Save studies and evidence pages, organize your personal Evidence Tracker, and keep the research you care about in one place.

Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Weight Loss

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

Body Composition

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

BMI

Gum Arabic → BMI

Gum Arabic → BMI

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Body adiposity index

Gum Arabic → Body adiposity index

Gum Arabic → Body adiposity index

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Change in Visceral Adiposity Index

Gum Arabic → Change in Visceral Adiposity Index

Gum Arabic → Change in Visceral Adiposity Index

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

HDL cholesterol

Gum Arabic → HDL cholesterol

Gum Arabic → HDL cholesterol

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Systolic blood pressure

Gum Arabic → Systolic blood pressure

Gum Arabic → Systolic blood pressure

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Triglycerides

Gum Arabic → Triglycerides

Gum Arabic → Triglycerides

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Waist circumference

Gum Arabic → Waist circumference

Gum Arabic → Waist circumference

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Waist-to-hip ratio

Gum Arabic → Waist-to-hip ratio

Gum Arabic → Waist-to-hip ratio

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Gum Arabic led to a 20% increase in HDL levels.
  • SBP decreased by 2.7% in the placebo group with no significant changes.
  • Body adiposity index decreased by 3.9% in the GA group.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
  • Individuals seeking dietary interventions for obesity management.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to populations outside the study sample.
  • Further research is needed to confirm long-term benefits.
  • Effectiveness may vary based on individual health conditions.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited sample size may affect generalizability.
  • Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects.
  • No significant changes in waist circumference or triglycerides.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Gum Arabic and Body Mass Index, Gum Arabic and Body adiposity index.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Gum Arabic affect BMI?

Emerging Evidence

Gum Arabic appears to affect BMI.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    BMI

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Gum Arabic improve body adiposity index?

Emerging Evidence

Gum Arabic appears to improve body adiposity index.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body adiposity index

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Gum Arabic improve change in visceral adiposity index?

Emerging Evidence

Gum Arabic appears to improve change in visceral adiposity index.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Change in Visceral Adiposity Index

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Gum Arabic improve hdl cholesterol?

Emerging Evidence

Gum Arabic appears to improve hdl cholesterol.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HDL cholesterol

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
Learn how Evidence Intelligence™ works

Next steps

Continue your research

Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.

No ads. No tracking.

Focused on evidence, not advertising.

Secure & private

Your data is always protected.

Always up to date

New studies added every day.