Contents:
- Medical Video: Using xanthan gum, the magical thickener
- What is xanthan gum?
- What are the benefits of xanthan gum for human health?
- 1. Helps reduce blood sugar levels
- 2. Lower cholesterol levels
- 3. Help treat dry mouth
- 4. Acts as a laxative
- 5. Make food easier to chew
- Not everyone can consume xanthan gum in food
- How safe is the limit for consumption?
Medical Video: Using xanthan gum, the magical thickener
Maybe most of you are not very familiar with xanthan gum. Even though without realizing it, you can just consume it quite often. Xanthan gum is an additional ingredient in many packaged foods on the market.So, what is the function of xanthan gum? What are the benefits for health?
What is xanthan gum?
Xanthan gum is a substance added in packaged food production forthickens the texture of the food. This additive is actually a type of polysaccharide, which is a carbohydrate formed from the fermentation of Xanthomonas campestris bacteria. These bacteria are usually contained naturally in broccoli, cabbage, and kale.
In addition to thickening the texture of food, xanthan gum also acts as aemulsifier aka adhesive food. For example, packaged foods that contain water and oil, such as salad dressing (dressing) or mayonnaise. In fact, water and oil cannot combine. But with the help of xanthan gum, these processed ingredients can be harmoniously integrated into one whole unit.
Thanks to this thickening and adhesive function, xanthan gum is widely used in processing bakery products, packaged fruit juices, ice cream, sauces and soy sauce, low-fat foods, and gluten-free foods. Some body products are also often made with the help of xanthan gum, such as toothpaste, sunscreen, and shampoo.
What are the benefits of xanthan gum for human health?
So far what we know is that additional ingredients in food are not good. But in fact, xanthan gum stores many health benefits. Anything?
1. Helps reduce blood sugar levels
Research conducted in 2016 stated that these additives can reduce the glycemic index level of rice, thus making blood sugar not too high after eating rice.
2. Lower cholesterol levels
A study conducted in a small scope revealed that eating foods that contain these additives regularly can reduce blood cholesterol levels. But this still has to be proven by further research.
3. Help treat dry mouth
This polysaccharide substance can act as a substitute for saliva and help treat dry mouth. Therefore, these substances are also used in various toothpaste products.
4. Acts as a laxative
If you have problems with difficulty defecating or constipation, you may be able to eat foods containing xanthan gum. Because, this substance is like a laxative that can stimulate intestinal movements to remove dirt.
5. Make food easier to chew
A study conducted in 2014 proved that this natural emusifier helps people who have difficulty chewing due to certain health problems.
Although the benefits are tempting to harvest, the role of xanthan gum for body health still needs further investigation. Therefore, don't consume it too much until it actually proves beneficial.
Not everyone can consume xanthan gum in food
Although it has been declared safe by the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States, excessive use of xanthan gum can still pose certain health risks.
In fact, there are several groups of people who are not allowed to consume any food that has these substances added, namely:
- People who have chronic diarrhea or chronic digestive disorders. Because, this substance can risk making diarrhea or digestive disorders worse.
- People who cannot resist bowel movements or fecal incontinence. This additive has properties such as laxatives, so people with fecal incontinence will find it difficult to control or restrain bowel movements.
- People who have allergies to this substance.
- People who have allergies to broccoli, cabbage, and kale. Because, this substance comes from bacteria that live from these plants.
How safe is the limit for consumption?
If you look at packaged foods one by one at the supermarket, you might find many products with this thickening agent. However, the dosage is usually only about 0.05-0.3 percent of the total weight of the product so it is still safe for consumption. The safe limit for consumption of xanthan gum in a day is less than 1 gram.
However, even though the levels are quite small in a product and safe to consume, you also should not consume it more than the limit. Not that also, that you are safe to consume packaged food every day. Instead, choose fresh foods that tend to have better nutritional content.
