It has a high content of soluble fibre (galactomannan with galactose and mannose in the ratio of 1:1.02). From the current understanding of functional foods, fibre plays an important role by its property of non digestibility and viscosity.
It is demonstrated that viscosity plays an important role in digestion of starch and absorption of glucose from intestine to blood. This particular type of soluble fibre becomes highly viscous when mixed with water and lines the walls of the stomach. It reduces the absorption of glucose from intestine to blood and ensures that there is no sudden peak or rush of glucose into the blood stream.