Effects of Xanthan gum
The effects of Xanthan gum are appropriately explained in this article. Xanthan gum is a popular food additive often used to make foods thicker or more stable. It is created when a bacterium called “Xanthomonas campestris” ferments sugar. When sugar is fermented, it makes a broth or goo-like substance that can be made solid by adding alcohol. Then it is dried and made into a powder.
When xanthan gum powder is mixed with a liquid, it quickly spreads out and makes a thick, stable solution. Because of this, it can thicken, suspend, and stabilise a wide range of products.
In 1963, scientists found it. Since then, it has been carefully looked into and found safe. So, the FDA has let it be used as a food additive, and there are no limits on how much xanthan gum a food can have.
Even though it was made in a lab, it is a soluble fibre. Soluble fibres are carbs that the body can’t break down. Instead, they soak up water and turn into a gel-like substance in your stomach, which slows down digestion. So, your body can’t break down xanthan gum, which doesn’t give you any calories or nutrients.
Where can I find Xanthan gum?
Xanthan gum is used in food, cosmetics, and industrial goods. Xanthan gum can improve the consistency, texture, shelf life, flavour, and look of many foods.
It also stabilises food so it can be eaten at different temperatures and pH levels. It also stops meals from mixing and lets them easily flow out of their containers. It’s frequently employed in gluten-free baking because it can make the dough as flexible and light as gluten.
Most of the time, xanthan gum is found in the following foods:
- Low-fat foods
- Salad dressings
- Gluten-free products
- Bakery products
- Syrups
- Ice creams
Increased gas is one of the effects of Xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is in a lot of beauty and personal care products. It lets these things be thick but still easily flow out of their containers. It also makes it possible for solid particles to be suspended in liquids.
Most of the time, xanthan gum is found in the following:
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste
- Lotions
- Creams
Xanthan gum in Industrial Products
An extensive range of industrial goods contains xanthan gum because it can handle different temperatures and pH levels, stick to surfaces, and thicken liquids while keeping their flow.
Most of the time, you can find xanthan gum in the following industrial products:
- Adhesives such as wallpaper glue
- Fungicides, insecticides and herbicides
- Paints
- Fluids employed in oil drilling
- Tile, grout, toilet, and oven bowl cleaners
Causing digestive problems is one of the effects of Xanthan gum. Most people who use xanthan gum seem to get an upset stomach as the only possible harmful side effect. Many animal studies have shown high doses can cause loose, frequent stools.
When ingested in large quantities, xanthan gum has the potential to have a laxative impact. Unless at least 15 grammes are eaten, these harmful effects don’t seem to happen. A regular diet would make it challenging to achieve this quantity.
Some individuals might need to limit or avoid Xanthan gum
Most people are fine with xanthan gum, but a few people should stay away from it. Xanthan gum is made from sugar. Sugar can be made from corn, soy, wheat, and dairy, among other things. People with severe allergies to these things shouldn’t eat meals with xanthan gum until they find out where the gum came from.
A thickener called Simply Thick, made from xanthan gum, was added to the formula and breast milk for babies born too soon. In a few cases, the babies got necrotising enterocolitis, a life-threatening disease that makes the intestines swell, get damaged, and start to die. Simply Thick is safe for adults, but babies shouldn’t use it because their guts are still growing.
Blood sugar can be lowered with xanthan gum. This can be risky for people with diabetes who take certain medicines to make their blood sugar drop. People who are going to have surgery soon can also be at risk.
Some food products with xanthan gum are acceptable for these people to eat, but they shouldn’t overeat it until we know more about what it does to blood sugar.
Altered gut bacteria is one of the effects of Xanthan gum. The ability of xanthan gum and other soluble fibres to change the microbes in the gut may be helpful. They are called “prebiotics” because they help the good bacteria in the gut grow. However, additional investigation is required to determine how well xanthan gum might function as a prebiotic.
