DESCRIZIONE
An aqueous gel material which is rich in flexibility and elasticity, changes little in gel strength during storage, has a low sol viscosity, can be easily processed, is extremely less apt to suffer water separation, and has the function of absorbing water and dissolving in water. The gel-form water-absorbing material is characterized by comprising a tamarind seed polysaccharide comprising at least 90% dietary fibers and up to 1% protein and having an ash content of 1% or lower and at least one water-soluble organic substance selected among polyhydric alcohols and water-soluble surfactants.