Guar gum and its effects on cholesterol, blood sugar and weight
What it found
Guar gum, a soluble fibre used as a food thickener, is linked to lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, higher HDL cholesterol, and help with blood sugar control and weight loss.
The evidence comes from studies in people and non-human primates.
What they found
Studies in people and animals
Cholesterol and triglycerides
Guar gum reduced total serum cholesterol and triglycerides in people and non-human primates. It also increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
Blood sugar control
Guar gum helped manage glycemic indices, which are measures of blood sugar control. This effect is linked to its soluble dietary fibre content.
Weight loss
Guar gum is considered helpful in weight loss programs. The paper says it is used for this purpose alongside its cholesterol and glucose lowering effects.
Other findings
Food industry uses
Guar gum is an edible thickening agent that hydrates without heating. It has widespread applications in the food industry.
Composite flours
Flours made from wheat and legumes have practical uses and are being used in many parts of the world. They improve the nutritional and functional properties of flour.
What the authors conclude
“The main thrust of therapeutic and medicinal properties lies in the soluble dietary fiber content of guar gum to improve the serum biochemical profile of human and non-human primates, reducing total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, increasing the high density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and the management of glycemic indices and obesity.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say that including dietary fibre such as guar gum in the diet is the right approach to reduce the risks of high cholesterol and high blood sugar.
- They state that guar gum is helpful in weight loss programs and in improving the serum biochemical profile.
- They suggest that diet diversification, including composite flours, is the right approach to overcome these health problems.
How it was done
Rates of high cholesterol and high blood sugar are rising worldwide, and managing both conventional and non-conventional risk factors is complex. Adding dietary fibre to the diet is seen as the right approach to reduce these risks.
The authors reviewed available information on guar gum, focusing on its effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, diabetes and weight loss. They looked at studies in people and non-human primates.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of existing information, not a new experiment. It cannot prove that guar gum directly causes any of the health effects described.
- The findings come from a mix of studies in people and non-human primates. Results in animals may not be the same as in people.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Agriculture, Pakistan
The paper
- Title
- Guar gum: a miracle therapy for hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia and obesity
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Butt MS, Shahzadi N, Sharif MK, Nasir M (2007). Guar gum: a miracle therapy for hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia and obesity. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. doi:10.1080/10408390600846267PubMed 17457723DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error