A bland, light-colored powder, Fibregum from Colloides Naturels, Inc., Bridgewater, N.J., is greater than 80% soluble dietary fiber. It is made from acacia gum, the exudate of the plant, specially selected for its high fiber content, pH level and light color. The water-soluble gum is dissolved, filtered to remove insoluble material, and agglomerated or spray dried. There are several versions in the range, designed for specific functions.
Ten healthy volunteers consumed the soluble fiber for 10 days, and then consumed a control of sugar beet sucrose for 10 days. During the exercise, the subjects ate their normal diet, but were forbidden foods containing inulin and fructooligosaccharides, as well as yogurt with bifidobacteria or lactobacilli. A significant increase in helpful bifidobacteria and lactobacilli was detected in the volunteers' stool samples after the soluble fiber was consumed.