Guar Gum (Guar Galactomannan · PHGG · IBS & Gut Motility Fiber)
| CAS No. | 9000-30-0 |
| Class | Polysaccharide · Soluble Dietary Fiber · Galactomannan · Hemicellulose |
| Source | Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar bean) — seed endosperm. India supplies over 80% of global production |
| Claim strength | High |
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Guar gum is the food-grade and supplement-grade form of guar galactomannan — a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide extracted from the endosperm of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, the guar bean cultivated predominantly in the arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat in India. India supplies over 80% of global guar production. Guar galactomannan consists of a mannose backbone with a 2:1 mannose:galactose ratio. Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) is the enzymatically reduced, lower-viscosity grade used in supplement formulation and clinical nutrition.
Guar Gum for IBS, Gut Motility, Blood Glucose & Cholesterol — Evidence
IBS and gut motility: PHGG at 5g per day is one of the better-evidenced dietary fiber interventions for irritable bowel syndrome. Multiple RCTs document reductions in IBS symptom scores and improvements in bowel consistency in both constipation-predominant and diarrhoea-predominant IBS subtypes. The bidirectional normalisation effect distinguishes PHGG from single-direction laxatives. Claim strength: High.
Blood glucose management: Guar galactomannan forms a viscous gel in the small intestine that slows gastric emptying and glucose absorption. Post-prandial glucose response is significantly attenuated when consumed with or before carbohydrate-containing meals. Claim strength: High.
LDL cholesterol reduction: The gel traps bile acids and prevents their reabsorption, forcing hepatic conversion of cholesterol to replacement bile acids. Meta-analyses of RCTs document consistent LDL reductions at 10–15g per day. Claim strength: High.
Satiety and weight management: Higher doses (15–30g per day) have been studied in clinical weight management trials with documented reductions in caloric intake. Claim strength: Moderate.
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Guar Gum Dosage, Grade Selection & Formulator Specification
Clinically referenced dose: 5g per day of PHGG for IBS and gut motility. 10–15g per day of standard guar galactomannan for cholesterol reduction. The format is almost always powder sachet or functional food enrichment — capsule encapsulation at these doses is impractical.
Standard guar gum vs PHGG: Standard guar gum has very high viscosity and is poorly tolerated at supplement doses. PHGG is enzymatically hydrolysed to lower MW — disperses cleanly in water without visible gelling, well tolerated at 5g per day. For supplement formulation, always specify PHGG.
Allergen note: Guar is a legume. Confirm allergen declaration requirements for your target market.
Pairs with: Psyllium husk, inulin, peppermint oil (IBS stacks), berberine (metabolic health).
Frequently Asked Questions — Guar Gum
What is the difference between guar gum and PHGG?
Guar gum is the native high-MW galactomannan — gel-forming and difficult to disperse at supplement doses. PHGG is enzymatically reduced to lower MW, dispersing cleanly in water without gelling. For supplement sachets and functional beverages, PHGG is the correct specification.
Is guar gum the same as galactomannan?
Guar gum is the most commercially significant galactomannan at 2:1 mannose:galactose ratio. Locust bean gum is a related galactomannan at 4:1. Source species should be specified on supplement labels.
What evidence exists for guar gum in IBS?
PHGG at 5g per day has multiple RCTs showing reductions in IBS symptom scores and improvements in bowel regularity across both constipation-predominant and diarrhoea-predominant subtypes.
Can guar gum be used in functional beverages?
PHGG grade only. Standard guar gum forms an unacceptably thick gel in beverages at supplement doses. PHGG at 5g disperses cleanly in 200–250ml water.
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human studies; Moderate = a few trials; Emerging = early lab data.
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