Gum Arabic Enhances Intestinal Calcium Absorption in Rats

Abstract

We investigated whether the efficiency of intestinal calcium (Ca) absorption was improved by concomitant ingestion of gum arabic (GA) in rats. We used the Ussing chamber method to clarify the effect of GA on upper and lower small intestinal absorption of Ca. Increased in vitro Ca permeation was observed in rats who ingested water with 7.5% GA for 10 days. These results suggested that administration of GA with Ca could increase the efficiency of oral Ca absorption.