What Is Xanthan Gum?

Xanthan gum is a food additive used as a thickener or stabilizer. While it has health benefits, consuming too much may cause digestive issues. It has different effects in different products: Adding thickness, keep textures from changing, and holding ingredients in place.

It's created when sugar is fermented by the bacteria Xanthomonas campestris, resulting in a goo-like substance which is subsequently solidified by the addition of alcohol. It is then dried and processed into a powder form.

We recommend avoiding processed foods because they can cause sensitivities in some people. The following are some common foods that contain xanthan gum:

We know it can be hard to avoid in pre-cut products and salad dressings so if you eat it no problem just pay attention to how you feeling after.

Xanthan gum is known to cause:

In conclusion, Xanthan gum is a popular additive for thickening, suspending and stabilizing. It’s found in many foods and products, and appears to be safe for most people. There are few side effect to Xanthan gum and due to that, we recommend avoiding processed foods whenever possible.