What is Xanthan Gum? This is the question many people ask when they are searching for information about this popular ingredient in chewing gum. A natural compound derived from plant cells, this ingredient is popular because it does not cause dangerous side effects like other chewing gum bases do. However, more people are falling prey to its dangers. Let us find out exactly what this popular ingredient does.
Xanthan Gum is primarily used as a food additive, containing numerous complex carbohydrates. It’s a highly effective thickener and stabilizer, which means that it helps to keep foods from breaking down or separating quickly. The scientific term for this ingredient is polysaccharides, and these compounds are found widely in fruits and vegetables. Xanthan gum commonly added to candies, energy drinks, sauces, bread products, and even vitamins and medicines.
It’s a complex carbohydrate that is used as a replacement for sugar in foods such as baked goods, biscuits, cakes, doughnuts, soda pop, and energy drinks. In fact, this food additive is one of the most commonly added ingredients in those products. However, the use of xanthan gum as a replacement for sugar in these products can have its own set of hazards. In fact, even trace amounts of this binding agent can pose serious risks to your health. Therefore, it is important to read the labels on gluten-free products that you purchase and always check the ingredient list for this ingredient before buying them.
One of the dangers of this chemical is found in the high concentrations of glucose that it produces. Glucose is the primary sweetness substance in our foods, and its excessive consumption can contribute to the development of conditions such as diabetes and hypoglycemia. As an industrial product, xanthan gum has been added to a number of different food products in an effort to increase their shelf life and shelf impact. Unfortunately, many consumers have not taken the time to read the label of ingredients on the packaging before consuming them. This means that they are consuming potentially hazardous levels of glucose when using this food additive as a sugar alternative.
In addition to potentially increasing your risk for developing conditions such as diabetes, xanthan gum made with corn or wheat gluten can also cause problems with your digestion. Because it produces gastric discomfort, indigestion, or heartburn as a side effect, many people with sensitive gastric linings may need to lower their blood sugar levels by limiting the amount of gum made with corn or wheat gluten. Those who have chronically been unable to control their blood sugar levels may also find that limiting the amount of xanthan gum made with these ingredients can help them to stabilize their blood sugar levels. For those suffering from acute hypoglycemia, however, reducing the amount of food intake may be all that is necessary in order to bring their blood sugar levels back into a safe range.
It seems that the benefits that consumers report regarding xanthan gum do not stop there. Many researchers believe that this food additive may also be harmful to animals, although exactly how this food additive affects animals is not well understood. Whatever the case, one thing is clear: if you consume this product, you should be aware that it may also raise your blood pressure and heart rate at the same time, which could be dangerous to your health. If you want to avoid having either of these problems, or any other problems related to eating, you should stop consuming xanthan gum immediately.
If you are in doubt about the healthfulness of your diet, you should check with your doctor, especially if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, hypoglycemia, or high blood pressure. For most people, a healthy diet is all that is necessary to keep these conditions from presenting themselves. If you have had either of these conditions, you should discuss your options with your primary care practitioner and try to modify your diet as much as possible while avoiding foods that contain the food additive called guar gum gluten-free. Although you may not have realized it, you may be unknowingly putting yourself at risk by consuming too much of the ingredient known as guar gum gluten-free.
Although the above information is not definitive proof that the food additive guar gum gluten-free is harmful, it may even be dangerous for you. If you suspect that you are allergic to it, you should tell your primary care practitioner. For some individuals, this is all that is needed. However, it can never hurt to check with your doctor and ask them about the positive or negative effects that consuming this item may have on you. They may even recommend a different food additive that will help to reduce your symptoms.