3 Benefits of Xanthan Gum & Why Root'd Uses It
| Rebecca Jacobs |
If you follow a gluten-free diet or are big into baking, then you may be familiar with xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is commonly used as a binding agent in gluten-free baked goods, as it’s used as a binding and thickening agent or a stabilizer to help prevent ingredients from separating.
We happen to use xanthan gum in our drinkable multivitamins for a few different reasons. So, we’re sharing a little more about what exactly it is, what it’s used for, and why it makes such a great gluten-free binding agent.
Plus, we want to dive into why it may leave behind a little bit of sediment that may stick to the side of your cup and why this is perfectly normal and all part of how this gluten-free binding agent works!
Read on to learn everything you need to know.
What is Xanthan Gum?
Ok, so what exactly is xanthan gum anyway? It’s a soluble fiber that considered a food additive that, as we’ve mentioned, is most commonly used as a thickener and binder. It was discovered in 1963 and is a food additive that’s received the FDA’s stamp of approval.
Xanthan gum is created when sugar is fermented by Xanthomonas campestris, which is a type of bacteria. When this happens, it turns into a sticky and gooey substance.
The xanthan gum power you may be familiar with is made in a lab where alcohol is added to turn the gooey substance into a solid. Lastly, it’s dried to create the xanthan gum powder you can find at your local grocery store.
We’re then left with a powder that can be added to things like yogurt or gluten-free muffins to hold everything together and prevent ingredients from separating.
The Benefits of Xanthan Gum
Unlike other potentially harmful food additives, xanthan gum may actually hold some health benefits. Here are some of the potential benefits of using xanthan gum as a binding agent.
#1 Blood Sugar Support*
Some studies have found that xanthan gum may help lower blood sugar.* This may have to do with the fact that the body cannot digest soluble fiber*. When consumed, these fibers absorb water, which then turns into a gel-like substance, and can slow down the digestive process*.
#2 May Support Regularity*
While we’re on the topic of soluble fiber, let’s talk about the fact that xanthan gum may also help support regularity*. Again, this has to do with how soluble fiber absorbs water, which can help move water into the intestines, which may help keep constipation at bay.*
#3 Makes Gluten-free Products Look & Taste More Like the Real Thing
Since xanthan gum is commonly used in gluten-free products, it’s a great option for those who have to avoid gluten. This binding agent can add the texture and consistency to gluten-free baked goods that make them taste a little more like the real thing!
So, if you’ve ever enjoyed a gluten-free cupcake or cookie and wonder how it tastes so close to the non-gluten free options, chances are it contains xanthan gum.
Xanthan Gum as a Gluten-free Binding Agent
Here at Root’d, we use xanthan gum in our multivitamins as a way to offer a product that’s gluten-free! This is important because many multivitamins contain food additives that are not gluten-free, making them not suitable for those who need to follow a gluten-free diet.
Xanthan gum gives us the ability to offer a drinkable vitamin where the ingredients will hold together while mixed in liquid without any of the added junk or gluten-containing ingredients.
With that being said, please know that the little bit of sediment that this gluten-free binder may leave behind on your cup is totally normal! It’s part of the way xanthan gum works as a gluten-free binder and is nothing to stress about.
So, keep sippin’ on your drinkable multivitamin and know that the only binder we use is natural and has been shown to offer quite a few benefits.
You can finally say goodbye to harmful and artificial binders and additives and yes to a product that’s natural, free of yucky added sugar, and will fuel your body with the nutrients it needs to support optimal health.
Resources
Healthline. Xanthan Gum — Is This Food Additive Healthy or Harmful? Accessed December 4, 2019
FDA. Food Additive List. Accessed December 4, 2019
NCBI. Use of xanthan gum in dietary management of diabetes mellitus. Accessed December 4, 2019
Medical News Today. Everything You Need to Know About Xanthan Gum. Accessed December 4, 2019
