OLIPOP

Our food and beverage culture seems to be embracing new ways to enhance flavor, texture, and healthiness. But sometimes, these “new” healthy ingredients aren’t really new at all and have been right in front of us the whole time.  

Take guar fiber, an extremely versatile fiber that has long flown under the radar but has been a part of our collective food culture for centuries. From its humble origins in the fields of South Asia to its evolving role in modern food and beverage production, guar fiber’s journey serves as a lesson that sometimes new solutions can come from old places. So, let's take a closer look at what guar fiber is and why you’ll find it in our OLIPOP 6g Fiber Line. 

What is Guar Fiber? 

Guar fiber (also called guar gum) is a type of soluble dietary fiber derived from the seeds of the guar plant (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), a drought-resistant legume primarily grown in South Asia. 

The part of the seed that’s used is its endosperm, which is milled into a fine powder rich in galactomannan, a naturally occurring compound known for its ability to absorb water and form a gel-like texture. This is what gives guar fiber its signature functionality. 

But beyond texture, guar fiber is also valued for how it behaves in the body. As a soluble prebiotic fiber, it isn’t fully digested in the small intestine. Instead, it moves through the digestive tract where it can be fermented by gut bacteria, aligning it with other prebiotic fibers used in functional foods (and drinks like OLIPOP!) today. 

Guar Fiber in OLIPOP 

At OLIPOP, we’re committed to supporting your digestive health with every sip.* To do this, we include our unique ingredient blend OLISMART in every can, featuring a blend of functional ingredients to support your digestive health.* We use guar fiber as part of our 6g Fiber Line, where it helps increase the overall fiber content of our sodas while maintaining the smooth, drinkable texture you expect. This fiber is also shelf-stable, meaning it can live on the shelf without losing its prebiotic effect. 

As one of the prebiotic fibers in our OLISMART blend, guar fiber works alongside other fibers to: 

• Contribute to your daily fiber intake 
• Support digestive health 
• Help deliver a soda experience that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture 

It may not be the most familiar ingredient on the label, but it plays an important role in how we build a better soda from the inside out. 

Guar Fiber: The Takeaway 

Guar fiber is a plant-derived ingredient with a long history in food. Today, it’s used both for its functional properties and as a source of soluble, prebiotic fiber. In OLIPOP, it’s one piece of our OLISMART puzzle, helping bring together function and flavor in every can. 

*OLIPOP 12 fl oz serving with 6 or 9g of dietary fiber. 

Sources 

1. Alam, N. H., Meier, R., Schneider, H., Sarker, S. A., Bardhan, P. K., Mahalanabis, D., Fuchs, G. J., & Gyr, N. (2000). Partially hydrolyzed Guar Gum–Supplemented oral rehydration solution in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 31(5), 503–507. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005176-200011000-00010
2. Effects of a gel forming dietary fiber, guar gum, on the absorption of glibenclamide and metabolic control and serum lipids in patients with non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes. (1990, April 1). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2110937/
3. Fairchild, R. M., Ellis, P. R., Byrne, A. J., Luzio, S. D., & Mir, M. A. (1996). A new breakfast cereal containing guar gum reduces postprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in normal-weight human subjects. British Journal of Nutrition, 76(1), 63–73. https://doi.org/10.1079/bjn19960009
4. French, S., & Read, N. (1994). Effect of guar gum on hunger and satiety after meals of differing fat content: relationship with gastric emptying. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 59(1), 87–91. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/59.1.87
5. Guar Gum Uses, Benefits & Dosage Herbal Database. (n.d.). Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/npp/guar-gum.html
6. Jones, K. L., MacIntosh, C., Su, Y., Wells, F., Chapman, I. M., Tonkin, A., & Horowitz, M. (2001). Guar gum reduces postprandial hypotension in older people. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 49(2), 162–167. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1532-5415.2001.49037.x
7. Knopp, R. H., Superko, H. R., Davidson, M., Insull, W., Dujovne, C. A., Kwiterovich, P. O., Zavoral, J. H., Graham, K., O’Connor, R. R., & Edelman, D. A. (1999). Long-term blood cholesterolâlowering effects of a dietary fiber supplement. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 17(1), 18–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(99)00039-2
8. Mudgil, D., Barak, S., & Khatkar, B. S. (2011). Guar gum: processing, properties and food applications—A Review. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 51(3), 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0522-x
9. Pittler, M. H., Schmidt, K., & Ernst, E. (2005). Adverse events of herbal food supplements for body weight reduction: systematic review*. Obesity Reviews, 6(2), 93–111. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789x.2005.00169.x
10. Rao, T. P., Hayakawa, M., Minami, T., Ishihara, N., Kapoor, M. P., Ohkubo, T., Juneja, L. R., & Wakabayashi, K. (2015). Post-meal perceivable satiety and subsequent energy intake with intake of partially hydrolysed guar gum. British Journal of Nutrition, 113(9), 1489–1498. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114515000756
11. Slavin, J. (2013). Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and health benefits. Nutrients, 5(4), 1417–1435. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5041417
12. Steels, E., Erhardt, R., Harnett, J. E., Vigar, V., & Steadman, K. J. (2023). Efficacy of a prebiotic formulation for treatment of functional constipation and associated gastrointestinal symptoms in adults: A randomised controlled trial. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 10(2), 43–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2023.05.001

Meet our Expert This article is reviewed by Courtney McCormick, MPH, RDN, LDN, who is a paid member of the OLIPOP team. Courtney is a registered dietitian nutritionist and public health professional with nearly two decades of experience supporting nutrition initiatives across a variety of settings, including schools, community, and the consumer goods industry. Courtney is passionate about turning evidence-based nutrition into practical, everyday solutions. Here at OLIPOP, Courtney is Manager of Clinical Research and Scientific Content, helping to lead our clinical research program as we continue our commitment to science.