Xanthan Gum Side Effects
By Livestrong.com
Xanthan gum is a thickening agent named after the bacteria used to make it through fermentation, Xanthomonas capestris. This common bacterium is the same culprit that causes your cauliflower to turn black when rotting. Although you would not eat rotting cauliflower, xanthan gum is generally safe and only causes mild irritations in some people. Guar gum and cellulose gel are common alternatives to use as thickening agents if you are sensitive to xanthan gum. Since celiac disease and gluten-free diets are becoming more commonplace, xanthan gum is also being used in more baked products to replace gluten.
Gastrointestinal Irritability
The most common side effects of xanthan gum are gas and bloating. If you ingest a large quantity of xanthan gum, you may experience severe abdominal pain from gas buildup in your intestines. A clinical study on the effects of xanthan gum on dogs was completed by the World Health Organization. In this study, dogs were fed large amounts of pure xanthan gum and experienced weight loss and chronic diarrhea. A typical 150-lb. person would have to consume over 60 g of xanthan gum daily to replicate this study. Typically, on a gluten-free diet you would consume an average of 0.5 to 4 g of xanthan gum per day from products. No human trials have been done to determine if normal dietary consumption of xanthan gum produces any gastrointestinal effects except gas.
Xanthan gum is a thickening agent named after the bacteria used to make it through fermentation, Xanthomonas capestris. This common bacterium is the same culprit that causes your cauliflower to turn black when rotting. Although you would not eat rotting cauliflower, xanthan gum is generally safe and only causes mild irritations in some people. Guar gum and cellulose gel are common alternatives to use as thickening agents if you are sensitive to xanthan gum. Since celiac disease and gluten-free diets are becoming more commonplace, xanthan gum is also being used in more baked products to replace gluten.
Gastrointestinal Irritability
The most common side effects of xanthan gum are gas and bloating. If you ingest a large quantity of xanthan gum, you may experience severe abdominal pain from gas buildup in your intestines. A clinical study on the effects of xanthan gum on dogs was completed by the World Health Organization. In this study, dogs were fed large amounts of pure xanthan gum and experienced weight loss and chronic diarrhea. A typical 150-lb. person would have to consume over 60 g of xanthan gum daily to replicate this study. Typically, on a gluten-free diet you would consume an average of 0.5 to 4 g of xanthan gum per day from products. No human trials have been done to determine if normal dietary consumption of xanthan gum produces any gastrointestinal effects except gas.
|
Respiratory Distress
Xanthan gum can be purchased in a powdered form for use in your kitchen. This low-density, fine powder has the ability to create a cloud in the air when being handled roughly. Inhaling xanthan gum may allow it to accumulate in your lungs, according to the World Health Organization. Eventually, xanthan gum may induce respiratory distress by making absorption of oxygen in your lungs difficult. The Xanthan Gum website reports that industrial workers who produce xanthan gum have experienced respiratory problems. |
|
You should be careful when handling xanthan gum and try to be gentle when adding it to your recipes. Inhaling small amounts should not cause any problems; however, if you believe you are experiencing any breathing difficulties, consult your doctor.
Allergic Reaction
Manufacturers are not required to list what food the Xanthomonas capestris bacteria eat during production. If you are allergic to any vegetation including soy and corn, you may want to seek an alternative thickening agent. If you only have a slight allergy, you may want to test several individual brands to determine which ones produce the fewest side effects. Allergic reactions can produce severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing. If you notice swelling or rash developing, talk to your doctor.
Manufacturers are not required to list what food the Xanthomonas capestris bacteria eat during production. If you are allergic to any vegetation including soy and corn, you may want to seek an alternative thickening agent. If you only have a slight allergy, you may want to test several individual brands to determine which ones produce the fewest side effects. Allergic reactions can produce severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing. If you notice swelling or rash developing, talk to your doctor.
Xanthan Gum: A Future Ingredient in Pet Food?
By Dr. Becker
If you’re a pet owner who feeds a processed commercial diet to your dog or cat, soon you may be hearing more about an ingredient called xanthan gum. It is currently used only sparingly in pet products – typically in wet foods, sauces, and gravies – but AAFCO has preliminarily approved it for broader use in canned dog and cat foods.
So What Is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by fermentation of carbohydrates by the gram-negative bacteria Xanthomonas campestris. It is used as a thickening and suspending agent in processed foods.
The bacteria occurs naturally – it is what causes the black rot on veggies that have been in the fridge too long – and can also be produced synthetically. The value of X. campestris is its ability to produce a gel-like, gummy substance as a protective coating.
Once the bacteria has fermented, it is pasteurized (killed) and filtered. The resulting xanthan gum is then treated with isopropyl alcohol, dried, ground, and diluted to desired consistency. The finished product is a loose, whitish-colored powder. The behavior of xanthan gum makes it ideal for food processing purposes. Nutritionally speaking, it is a carbohydrate with about seven grams of fiber per tablespoon.
If you’re a pet owner who feeds a processed commercial diet to your dog or cat, soon you may be hearing more about an ingredient called xanthan gum. It is currently used only sparingly in pet products – typically in wet foods, sauces, and gravies – but AAFCO has preliminarily approved it for broader use in canned dog and cat foods.
So What Is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by fermentation of carbohydrates by the gram-negative bacteria Xanthomonas campestris. It is used as a thickening and suspending agent in processed foods.
The bacteria occurs naturally – it is what causes the black rot on veggies that have been in the fridge too long – and can also be produced synthetically. The value of X. campestris is its ability to produce a gel-like, gummy substance as a protective coating.
Once the bacteria has fermented, it is pasteurized (killed) and filtered. The resulting xanthan gum is then treated with isopropyl alcohol, dried, ground, and diluted to desired consistency. The finished product is a loose, whitish-colored powder. The behavior of xanthan gum makes it ideal for food processing purposes. Nutritionally speaking, it is a carbohydrate with about seven grams of fiber per tablespoon.
Why Might It Be Used in Pet Foods … and Is It Safe?
The primary benefit of xanthan gum is its ability to thicken and stabilize solid ingredients suspended in fluid, so depending on the cost, manufacturers of canned pet food could certainly find a use for it. Currently, it is most often combined with guar gum and/or locust bean gum (don’t those sound yummy?) to aid in viscosity and gel control.
Xanthan gum is generally considered safe for dogs and is assumed to be safe for cats. Studies indicate it can cause diarrhea at megadose levels, but this shouldn’t be a concern for most pets since AAFCO’s approval for use is based on a not-to-exceed level of .25 percent (that’s .0025 of 1 percent) in canned dog and cat foods. But keep in mind, a substance that causes diarrhea at high doses can potentially cause diarrhea at low doses in sensitive individuals.
Studies show that xanthan gum has a very low glycemic value compared to other polysaccharides, probably because it is indigestible and not absorbed in either the stomach or small intestine.
The primary benefit of xanthan gum is its ability to thicken and stabilize solid ingredients suspended in fluid, so depending on the cost, manufacturers of canned pet food could certainly find a use for it. Currently, it is most often combined with guar gum and/or locust bean gum (don’t those sound yummy?) to aid in viscosity and gel control.
Xanthan gum is generally considered safe for dogs and is assumed to be safe for cats. Studies indicate it can cause diarrhea at megadose levels, but this shouldn’t be a concern for most pets since AAFCO’s approval for use is based on a not-to-exceed level of .25 percent (that’s .0025 of 1 percent) in canned dog and cat foods. But keep in mind, a substance that causes diarrhea at high doses can potentially cause diarrhea at low doses in sensitive individuals.
Studies show that xanthan gum has a very low glycemic value compared to other polysaccharides, probably because it is indigestible and not absorbed in either the stomach or small intestine.
My Recommendation Regarding Xanthan Gum in Pet Food
Obviously I’m not a fan of highly processed pet foods, so an ingredient that aids pet food manufacturers in their extreme processing methods doesn’t excite me.
Xanthan gum is made using carbohydrates from corn, wheat, dairy, or soy. Regular visitors here at Mercola Healthy Pets know I always advise against feeding these foods to dogs and cats. The holistic veterinary community considers all four to be allergens, and each can wreak its own special brand of havoc on your pet’s digestive system and overall health, not to mention the concern about GMO’s in soy.
It’s possible pet food companies that add xanthan gum to their products might try to advertise its high fiber content, low glycemic value, or the fact that it’s “gluten-free.” Remember not to fall for marketing spin! When all is said and done, xanthan gum is just another non-nutritive, carb-based additive in processed pet food.
Obviously I’m not a fan of highly processed pet foods, so an ingredient that aids pet food manufacturers in their extreme processing methods doesn’t excite me.
Xanthan gum is made using carbohydrates from corn, wheat, dairy, or soy. Regular visitors here at Mercola Healthy Pets know I always advise against feeding these foods to dogs and cats. The holistic veterinary community considers all four to be allergens, and each can wreak its own special brand of havoc on your pet’s digestive system and overall health, not to mention the concern about GMO’s in soy.
It’s possible pet food companies that add xanthan gum to their products might try to advertise its high fiber content, low glycemic value, or the fact that it’s “gluten-free.” Remember not to fall for marketing spin! When all is said and done, xanthan gum is just another non-nutritive, carb-based additive in processed pet food.
