Gums: Effects on Food Intake

Abstract

The term gums cover the natural polymers most of which consist of polysaccharides. They are dispersible and soluble in water. Some studies have shown that gums, besides their roles in food industry, have important and positive effects on appetite and this has led scientists to consider that gums may play a role in the prevention and treatment of obesity which is a common public health issue. Gums realize their effect mechanisms on food intake depending on their features such as viscosity, gelling, fermentability and changing the expression of some genes. The effects of gums on food intake may differ on the basis of several factors such as type, amount and consumption duration of gums and their combinations with some nutrients. This review article aims to examine and discuss the effects of gums on food intake, the factors determining the effects, and their effect mechanisms.