Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG): Comprehensive Guide on Benefits and Uses of Guar Fiber
✓ Expert Review by:
Derek Timm, PhD, RDN
Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble, prebiotic dietary fiber with a wide range of clinically validated health benefits. It is the invisible fiber with visible benefits.
We’ve assembled helpful resources about PHGG, including its science-backed benefits and how it compares with other common dietary fiber supplements.
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What is PHGG (Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum)?
PHGG, also known as guar fiber, is a natural, galactomannan-based soluble dietary fiber made from enzymatically hydrolyzed guar gum. PHGG may be labeled as guar fiber in the ingredient list of foods, beverages and dietary supplements.
It is a soluble, transparent and tasteless dietary fiber. PHGG is low in viscosity, stable at various pH levels, and is resistant to heat, acid and digestive enzymes.
While both PHGG and guar gum come from the same plant, and both promote production of healthy short chain fatty acids, they also have very different properties. Guar gum is viscous. It swells with water, creating a gel, which makes it useful as a food thickener and stabilizer.
PHGG has a low viscosity and is used to add fiber to various foods and dietary supplements. The hydrolyzation process used to produce PHGG breaks guar gum into smaller units. This greatly decreases its viscosity, enabling PHGG particles to dissolve more readily, while maintaining its original fiber content.
Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) Benefits
PHGG is recognized for its many health benefits.
- As a prebiotic fiber, it nourishes and stimulates the growth and function of healthy gut microbiota.*
- It alleviates occasional constipation and diarrhea by helping food move through the gut at the right pace; this improves stool consistency and regularity of bowel movements.*
- It reduces post-meal blood sugar spikes by decreasing the glycemic index of foods.*
- It supports weight management by helping people to feel less hungry and fuller after eating.*
- It is effective at managing IBS-related gastrointestinal symptoms including regularity, abdominal pain, gas and bloating.*
- It helps lower serum cholesterol.*
- It helps promote iron absorption (serum ferritin)*
Low FODMAP** and Gluten Free
Tasteless, Odorless and Clear-mixing
Meets the FDA definition of dietary fiber
Reduces the Glycemic Index*
Supports weight management*
Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) Research
Explore the extensive body of research and clinical studies validating PHGG’s numerous health benefits, ranging from digestive health and glycemic control to weight management.
Chemical and functional properties of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (Sunfiber) as a dietary fiber.
Author: Chu, DC, Juneja LR.
Location: Innovations in Food Technology. 1999.
Effect of hydrolyzed guar fiber on fasting and postprandial satiety and satiety hormones: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial during controlled weight loss.
Author: Heini, AF, et al.
Location: Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1998;22:906-909.
Read Full Study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The cholesterol-lowering effect of guar gum is not the result of a simple diversion of bile acids toward fecal excretion.
Author: Favier, M, et al.
Location: Lipids. 1997;32:953-959.
Read Full Study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effect of supplements of partially hydrolyzed guar gum on the occurrence of constipation and use of laxative agents.
Author: Patrick, P, et al.
Location: Research and Professional Briefs. 1998;98:912-914.
Read Full Study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effects of a partially hydrolyzed guar gum on intestinal absorption of carbohydrate, protein and fat: a double-blind controlled study in volunteers.
Author: Alam N, et al.
Location: Clin Nutr. 1998; 17:125-129.
Read Full Study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Partially hydrolyzed guar gum as a source of fiber.
Author: Greenberg NA, Sellman D.
Location: Cereal Foods World. 1998;43:703-707.
Effect of partially hydrolyzed guar gum on elevation of blood glucose after sugar intake in human volunteers.
Author: Tsuda, K, et al.
Location: J Japan Assoc Diet Fiber Res. 1998;2:15-22.
Effects of hydrolyzed guar gum on cholesterol and glucose in humans.
Author: Yamatoya, K, et al.
Location: Food Hydrocolloids. 1997;11:239-242.
Sub-chronic (13-week) oral toxicity study with Sunfiber and Sunfiber ST in rats.
Author: Lina BA,
Location: TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute report. 1997;V97.080:1-95.
Increases in calcium absorption with ingestion of soluble dietary fibre, guar gum hydrolysate, depend on the caecum in partially nephrectomized and normal rats.
Author: Hara, H, et al,
Location: Br J Nutr. 1996;76:773-784.
Read Full Study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Dietary guar gum alters colonic microbial fermentation in azoxymethane-treated rats.
Author: Weaver, G, et al.
Location: J Nutr. 1996;126:1979-1991.
Read Full Study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Addition of hydrolyzed guar to enteral feeding products in type 1 diabetic patients.
Author: Peters, A, et al.
Location: Diabetes Care. 1996;19:899-900.
Read Full Study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Soluble Fiber PHGG
Soluble fiber is a dietary (plant) fiber that dissolves in water. The right soluble fiber supports good digestion, feeds beneficial bacteria, attenuates glucose absorption, lowers cholesterol and reduces hunger (increases satiety). Just be careful. Consuming some soluble fibers may lead to additional gas, bloating and worse: loose stools.
As a soluble fiber supplement, PHGG is well tolerated. This truly regulating soluble fiber moves through your body at a comfortable pace, without causing the excess gas or bloating associated with other fibers.*
Soluble fiber has specific benefits for gut health. It promotes the production of healthy short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which provide energy for the digestive tract, supporting the colon’s barrier function. Numerous human clinical studies show that PHGG increases both Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus levels.* These good bacteria promote a healthy gut microbiota.*
Is Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum a good source of soluble fiber?
Yes, Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) is an excellent source of soluble fiber. Derived from guar beans, also known as cluster beans, PHGG is rich in soluble prebiotic fiber that offers numerous health benefits. It dissolves easily in water, making it a convenient and effective way to increase your daily fiber intake.
PHGG Prebiotic
In the simplest terms, a prebiotic is nourishment for your gut probiotics, keeping the bacteria in your digestive system (gut microbiome) in balance.Newer scientific findings link the gut microbiome with the immune system and potentially mood. That’s because the gut, with the help of good bacteria, can create the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. When the gut is out of balance, you don’t feel well.
Prebiotic PHGG may also benefit a number of gastrointestinal disorders such as occasional constipation, occasional diarrhea or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It can also be helpful in supporting weight management by increasing the feeling of satiety after eating.
Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) = Sunfiber
Sunfiber PHGG is proven effective by more than 100 clinical studies for digestive health, gut health, glycemic control and satiety, without the typical side effects found with other fibers. It enables product formulators to bring the real benefits of this truly regulating fiber to consumers who are looking for a unique, more comfortable fiber source. Sunfiber delivers clinically substantiated health benefits and qualifies as a dietary fiber under the FDA’s stringent definition.
Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) Supplier
Sunfiber PHGG is a product of Taiyo International, a pioneer in the research and manufacture of functional ingredients for the food, beverage and nutraceutical industries. The company’s commitment to transparency and sustainability extend from the farmers who grow the guar beans to the state-of-the-art processing facility.
When mixed with water, Sunfiber PHGG is tasteless, colorless, odorless and has low viscosity. It is easy to work with and pleasant to consume.
Sunfiber PHGG is further distinguished by its extensive certifications:
Sunfiber PHGG is also self-affirmed GRAS, is 100% gluten free, and is still the only fiber that can use the Health Canada-approved health claims for IBS.
Sunfiber is known for its versatility. In addition to its use as a powder dietary supplement, Sunfiber PHGG can be incorporated into all foods or beverages to increase fiber content without affecting taste or texture. It also exhibits excellent stability with respect to pH, heat and freeze/thaw conditions.
To learn how to purchase in bulk, or to request a sample, click here.
PHGG Supplements
Learn More About Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG)
Our blog answers additional information about the benefits of fiber and how to get your recommended daily intake.
Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum Overview: Key Takeaways
Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG or guar fiber) is an excellent source of soluble fiber and very well tolerated. It is tasteless, odorless and colorless, and has low viscosity, making it suitable as a standalone fiber supplement as well as for a broad range of food and beverage applications.
The benefits of PHGG have been extensively studied, and include nourishing healthy gut microbiota, improving stool consistency and regularity, increasing satiety, decreasing blood sugar spikes, and managing IBS-related gastrointestinal symptoms.
PHGG supplements such as Sunfiber are a well-tolerated, reliable option for increasing soluble fiber intake without experiencing the additional gas or bloating associated with some other types of fiber supplements.
All these helpful facts about PHGG have been written by fiber expert Derek Timm, PhD, RDN. Let us know if you have any further questions and we’ll be happy to help.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.