Xanthan gum is a food additive that you may take several times a day. This food additive is common in everything from gluten-free foods to personal care products, such as toothpaste and creams. In this article, we will review some of the benefits of xanthan gum.
What is xanthan gum?
Xanthan gum, also known as polysaccharide B-1459, is a natural carbohydrate that is usually made using bacteria (Xanthomonas campestris).
Xanthan gum is produced from common sugar sources. Sugars are fermented with X. campestris, then alcohol is added to dry and form xanthan gum.
Components
Xanthan gum is composed of repeating units of simple sugars that are linked together by bacterial fermentation. Sugars such as glucose, sucrose and fructose can be used as fuel for its production.
Soybean biodiesel, an environmentally friendly fuel, has shown promising results as a substitute for sugars in the xanthan gum production process.
The mechanism of action
Xanthan gum, due to its long chain of sugars, has binding properties with water, organic and mineral substances.
When xanthan gum is mixed with a liquid, it increases the thickness of that liquid, thus providing many health benefits due to the slower reaction rate.
Benefits of xanthan gum for health
Xanthan gum is FDA approved for use as a food additive, but not for medical use. Talk to your doctor before using Xanthan Gum for any purpose. In the following, we will mention some health benefits of Xanthan Gum:
1) Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that impairs the body’s ability to process blood sugar. If blood sugar stays too high, it can damage nerves, eyes, blood vessels, and kidneys.
In a 12-week study of 9 diabetic subjects, 12 grams of xanthan gum reduced fasting blood sugar levels as well as 2 hours after a meal. No severe gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in this study.
In a study of 14 healthy men with 4 juice mixes, the xanthan gum mixture produced the greatest reduction in blood sugar. In a similar simulation of the human digestive process, xanthan gum reduced the concentration of glucose without negatively affecting the thickness of the digestive fluid.
For those whose diet is primarily rice, xanthan gum may reduce its unhealthy consequences. Blood sugar rises approximately 30 minutes after consuming rice. In a study of 11 healthy subjects, xanthan suppressed this blood sugar spike in humans.
2) Constipation
In a study conducted on 18 volunteers, xanthan gum had powerful laxative effects on the human body. The amount and frequency of stool production increased with xanthan gum supplements.
In another study on 5 men, consuming large amounts of xanthan gum increased the amount and frequency of bowel movements.
3) Dry Mouth
A study on 33 patients with severe dry mouth due to Sjogren’s syndrome used xanthan gum-based saliva substitutes in different thicknesses. Xanthan-based saliva substitutes improve the severity of dry mouth.
Kidney dialysis patients complain of dry mouth and thirst due to forced diet with limited liquids. A study on 65 patients showed that saliva substitutes containing xanthan gum can treat thirst and dry mouth.
4) Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a disorder that describes difficulty in swallowing or initiating the act of swallowing. A xanthan gum-based food thickener improved the immunity of 14 healthy volunteers and provided relief for 120 patients with dysphagia.
Also, 76 patients with post-stroke dysphagia used xanthan gum thickeners, which increased their swallowing safety and thus reduced choking events.
5) Hunger
In a study of nine people, participants who ate cookies containing xanthan felt fuller.
However, the European Food Safety Authority has reported no association between xanthan gum consumption and increased satiety. Another study confirmed that xanthan gum did not significantly reduce hunger in 21 overweight women.
6) Tooth Decay
Strong tooth enamel (tooth protective surface) is a sign of dental health. Acidic foods such as soft drinks, coffee and fruit juices can destroy tooth enamel.
Xanthan gum is a common thickening agent used in toothpaste. Xanthan gum is believed to form a protective barrier on the teeth, thus preventing acid attacks from foods.
A study of 16 people compared the erosive effect of acidic fruit drinks mixed with xanthan gum and found that it reduced tooth enamel loss.
7) Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a painful joint disorder that is usually caused by aging joints or obesity. Multiple animal studies show that xanthan gum injections protect cartilage while also relieving pain.
8) Therapeutic Immunity
During research, xanthan gum was able to activate the production of antibodies in mouse spleen cells. However, there is no evidence that this same response occurs in humans.
9) Reduction of tumor growth as well as cancer
Xanthan gum suppressed tumor growth in mice by stimulating the immune system. Slowing the growth of cancer increased the survival time of mice with skin cancer.
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