Guar gum
Guar gum has been studied in 5 papers since 1979: 3 trials in people, 2 reviews; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Feb 21, 2026: “Hydrocolloid-assisted strategies for developing low-glycemic index rice: Mechanistic roles of starch modification, bioactive fortification, and processing innovations”.
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 3 independent labs in 6 countries.
“In all the three groups the blood glucose levels with the trial drugs was significantly lower (p < 001) than without the drug.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 6 countries
- Human trial3
Studies in people
2 studies gave guar gum to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
down: Decreases blood glucose | Randomized trial | 50 peopleAfter 50 g sucrose load | The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, Nov 1, 1993 |
down: Decreases three-meal blood glucose area72% further reduction up: Increases hydrogen evolution | Trial | 4 people | Diabetes care, Jan 1, 1982 |
What did studies of guar gum find?
4Studies of guar gum measured 4 outcomes, among them LDL cholesterol, blood glucose and hydrogen evolution.
LDL cholesterol
downin humans1
1 study
LDL cholesterol
downin humans1
Guar gum decreases LDL cholesterol in humans (patients with cardiometabolic problems) (WMD -17.37 mg/dL (95% CI -23.60 to -11.13)).
“Guar gum supplementation significantly reduced serum LDL-C and TC levels in patients with cardiometabolic problems”
Reviewpatients with cardiometabolic problems100 mg/d to 30 g/d1–24 months
Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD
Blood glucose
downin humans1
1 study
Blood glucose
downin humans1
Guar gum decreases blood glucose in humans after 50 g sucrose load.
“In all the three groups the blood glucose levels with the trial drugs was significantly lower (p < 001) than without the drug.”
Human trialafter 50 g sucrose load20 grams (group A); 10 grams (group C)
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
Hydrogen evolution
upin humans1
1 study
Hydrogen evolution
upin humans1
Guar gum increases hydrogen evolution in humans (added to acarbose on starch diet).
“but increased hydrogen evolution”
Human trialadded to acarbose on starch diethydratedn = 4
Effect of acarbose on the 24-hour blood glucose profile and pattern of carbohydrate absorption
Diabetes care
Three-meal blood glucose area
downin humans1−72% further reduction
1 study
Three-meal blood glucose area
downin humans1−72% further reduction
Guar gum decreases three-meal blood glucose area in humans (added to acarbose on starch diet) (72% further reduction).
“Addition of hydrated guar to this diet reduced the mean three-meal glucose area after acarbose further by 72% (P less than 0.001)”
Human trialadded to acarbose on starch diethydratedn = 4
Effect of acarbose on the 24-hour blood glucose profile and pattern of carbohydrate absorption
Diabetes care