什麼是黃原膠食品添加劑?是健康還是有害?

What is xanthan gum?

What is xanthan gum?

Xanthan gum is a popular food additive that is often added to foods as a thickener or stabilizer. It is produced by the fermentation of sugar by a bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris. When sugar ferments, it produces a broth or similar thick substance that is made solid by the addition of alcohol. It is then dried and turned into powder. When xanthan gum powder is added to a liquid, it disperses quickly and forms a viscous and stable solution. This makes it an excellent thickener, suspending agent and stabilizer for many products. It was discovered by scientists in 1963. Since then, it has been well studied and determined to be safe. Therefore, the FDA has approved its use as a food additive and there are no limits on the amount of xanthan gum that can be included in foods. Although it is made in a laboratory, it is a soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is carbohydrate that the body cannot break down. Instead, they absorb water and turn into a gel-like substance in your digestive system, slowing digestion. Therefore, your body cannot digest xanthan gum and it does not provide any calories or nutrients.

Where is xanthan gum found?

Xanthan gum is found in foods, personal care products and industrial products.

Food products

What is xanthan gum food additive ?Is it healthy or harmful?

Xanthan gum can improve the texture, consistency, flavor, shelf life and appearance of many foods.

It can also stabilize food, helping certain foods withstand different temperatures and pH levels. Additionally, it prevents foods from separating and allows them to drain smoothly from the container.

It is often used in gluten-free cooking because it provides the elasticity and fluffiness that gluten imparts to traditional baked goods.

Here are some common foods that contain xanthan gum:

  • Salad Dressing
  • Baked Goods
  • Fruit Juice
  • Soup
  • Ice cream
  • Sauce and Gravy
  • Syrup
  • Gluten-free products
  • Low-fat foods

    Personal care products

    What is xanthan gum food additive ?Is it healthy or harmful?

    Xanthan gum is also found in many personal care and beauty products. It thickens these products but still flows easily from the container. It also allows solid particles to be suspended in liquids.

    Here are some common products containing xanthan gum:

    • Toothpaste
    • Facial Cream
    • Lotion
    • Shampoo

    Industrial products

    What is xanthan gum food additive ?Is it healthy or harmful?

    Xanthan gum is used in many industrial products because of its ability to withstand varying temperatures and pH values, adhere to surfaces and thicken liquids while maintaining good flow properties.

    Common industrial products containing xanthan gum include:

    • Fungicides, Herbicides and Insecticides
    • Tile, grout, oven and toilet cleaner
    • Paint
    • Fluids used in oil drilling
    • Adhesives such as wallpaper glue

    Xanthan gum can lower blood sugar

    Multiple studies have found that consuming large doses of xanthan gum can lower blood sugar. It is believed to turn the fluid in the stomach and small intestine into a viscous gel-like substance. This slows digestion and affects how quickly sugar enters the bloodstream, lowering blood sugar spikes after eating. A 12-week study had nine men with diabetes and four men without diabetes eat one muffin a day. During the six-week study, the men ate muffins without xanthan gum. For the next 6 weeks, they ate muffins containing 12 g of muffins. The participants' blood sugar was tested regularly, and the men with diabetes experienced significant reductions in fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels when eating waffles containing xanthan gum. Another study of 11 women found that eating rice with added xanthan gum resulted in significantly lower blood sugar than rice without xanthan gum.

    Xanthan gum can cause digestive problems

    For most people, the only potential negative side effect of xanthan gum appears to be stomach upset. Many animal studies have found that large doses can increase stool frequency and cause soft stools. In human studies, large doses of xanthan gum were found to have the following effects:

    • Increased bowel movement
    • Increased bowel movements
    • Soft stool
    • Increased gas
    • Changing gut bacteria

    These side effects do not appear to occur unless at least 15 grams are consumed. This amount is difficult to achieve with a typical diet. Additionally, xanthan gum's ability to alter gut bacteria may be a good thing, as many other soluble fibers alter gut bacteria.

    Some people may want to avoid it

    While xanthan gum is safe for most people, there are a few people who should avoid using it.

    People with severe allergies to wheat, corn, soy or dairy products

    Xanthan gum is derived from sugar. Sugar can come from many different places, including wheat, corn, soy, and dairy. People with severe allergies to these products may need to avoid foods containing xanthan gum unless they can identify the source of the gum.

    Premature infants

    Simply Thick is a xanthan gum-based thickener that is added to formula and breast milk for premature infants. In some cases, babies develop necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening disease that causes the intestines to become inflamed, damaged, and begin to die. While Simply Thick is safe for use on adults, it should be avoided on babies because their internal organs are still developing.

    People taking certain medications or planning surgery

    Xanthan gum can lower blood sugar levels. This can be dangerous for people taking certain diabetes medications that can cause hypoglycemia. It can also be dangerous for people who plan to have surgery soon. These people can eat some foods containing xanthan gum, but they should avoid eating large amounts until the effects of xanthan gum on blood sugar are better understood.

    Is it safe to eat?

    For most people, eating foods containing xanthan gum appears to be completely safe. Although it is found in many foods, it only accounts for 0.05-0.3% of foods. Additionally, an average person consumes less than 1 gram of xanthan gum per day. Proven to be 20 times safer. In fact, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives assigns it an acceptable daily intake of "not specified." This name is given when a food additive has very low toxicity and is present in food in such small quantities that it does not pose a health hazard. But people should avoid inhaling xanthan gum. Workers who handled it in powder form were found to have flu-like symptoms and nose and throat irritations. So even though you might eat a lot of foods that contain it, your intake is so small that you're unlikely to experience benefits or negative effects.

    Summary

    Xanthan gum is a commonly used thickening, suspending and stabilizing additive. It is found in many foods and products and appears to be safe for most people. When consumed in large amounts, it may even have health benefits, although these higher intakes can also increase the risk of digestive problems. Importantly, higher intakes are difficult to achieve through a regular diet and may have to be achieved through the use of xanthan gum supplements. While many studies have demonstrated the safety of xanthan gum in food, there are few human studies using it as a supplement. In the meantime, it is safe to eat foods containing xanthan gum. At worst, it seems harmless.

    Related Products

    Review

    All comments are moderated before being published

    HealthyPIG Magazine

    View all
    Transform Your Home with the Philips Smart 1000i Air Purifier: Allergy Relief Meets Smart Living

    Transform Your Home with the Philips Smart 1000i Air Purifier: Allergy Relief Meets Smart Living

    In today’s fast-paced world, where indoor air quality often goes unnoticed, the Philips Air Purifier Smart 1000i Series offers a breath of fresh ai...
    皮質醇管理:如何控制皮質醇?我們能夠自行管理或調節劑量嗎?

    皮質醇管理:如何控制皮質醇?我們能夠自行管理或調節劑量嗎?

    皮質醇是一種在壓力反應中發揮重要作用的激素,適量的皮質醇可以幫助我們應對壓力和維持健康。然而,過量或長期的高皮質醇水平可能會對身體帶來負面影響。以下我們將探討如何控制和管理皮質醇,包括自然方法、藥物干預、以及測量皮質醇的方式。 1. 自然方法調節皮質醇 壓力管理技術:研究顯示,冥想、深呼吸...
    皮質醇是什麼?它如何影響我們的身體與日常生活?

    皮質醇是什麼?它如何影響我們的身體與日常生活?

    皮質醇(Cortisol)是一種由腎上腺分泌的激素,通常被稱為「壓力荷爾蒙」。它的主要功能是幫助身體應對壓力情境,並且在多種生理過程中扮演重要角色。皮質醇的釋放受腦部下丘腦-垂體-腎上腺軸(HPA軸)控制,這是一個調節人體反應於壓力的系統。 皮質醇對身體的影響 當我們處於壓力下時,皮質...
    為什麼我們在緊張時總是忍不住吃零食?科學解密壓力性飲食行為

    為什麼我們在緊張時總是忍不住吃零食?科學解密壓力性飲食行為

    當人們感到緊張或壓力時,經常會無意識地吃零食,這種行為主要涉及大腦的多巴胺系統、情緒反應以及身體的生理需求。以下是背後的幾個主要原因: 壓力荷爾蒙的影響:壓力會觸發皮質醇的釋放,這種壓力激素會引發人們對高糖和高脂肪食物的渴望。這些食物能帶來短暫的愉悅感,因為它們能刺激大腦分泌多巴胺,讓人感...
    光學治療濕疹 - 全面總結

    光學治療濕疹 - 全面總結

    簡介 光療使用光波來治療某些皮膚問題。皮膚會暴露於紫外線 (UV) 光下一段設定的時間。光療利用人造的紫外線光源,紫外線也來自陽光。當與一種叫做甲氧補骨脂素的藥物一起使用時,這個程序稱為 PUVA 光療。 紫外線光能夠抑制皮膚中的免疫系統細胞,對於因免疫系統過度反應引起的皮膚問題有幫助。可以使...
    什麼是「操縱者」?

    什麼是「操縱者」?

    操縱者,也可以說成「擅用手段的人」,「心機重的人」。操縱者利用欺騙、影響或者其他形式的心理操控來控制或影響他人,以達到自己的目標。他們的行為通常包含使用隱蔽、間接或偷偷摸摸的手法來獲得他們想要的東西,往往是以犧牲他人為代價。以下是一些常見的特徵和手段: 欺騙: 他們可能會說謊或扭曲事實來誤...
    什麼是肌肉抽搐?你需要去看醫生嗎?

    什麼是肌肉抽搐?你需要去看醫生嗎?

    肌肉抽搐,也稱為肌束顫動,是指身體各部分出現不自主的肌肉收縮。以下是肌肉抽搐的原因、症狀及管理方法的詳細介紹: 肌肉抽搐的原因 壓力和焦慮 高水平的壓力和焦慮會導致肌肉緊張和抽搐。身體對壓力的反應會觸發神經系統,導致肌肉不自主地收縮。 疲勞 過度使用或劇烈運動後的肌肉疲勞會導致肌...
    蘋果與牙齒健康:保護牙齒的小技巧

    Apples and Dental Health: Tips to Protect Your Teeth

    Apples are widely loved for their rich nutritional content and refreshing taste. However, apples' acidic and sugary content may also have an impact...
    蘋果籽的毒性:它們真的有毒嗎?

    Apple Seed Toxicity: Are They Really Poisonous?

    Apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that break down in the body to produce cyanide, which has raised concerns about the toxicity o...