GUAR GUM

What is Guar gum?

Guar gum is a fiber from the seed of the guar plant. Guar gum is used for high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. There is limited scientific research to support the use of guar gum for other conditions.
In foods and beverages, guar gum is used as a thickening, stabilizing, suspending, and binding agent.

In manufacturing, guar gum is used as a binding agent in tablets, and as a thickening agent in lotions and creams.

Also known as guaran, guar gum is made from legumes called guar beans.

It's a type of polysaccharide, or long chain of bonded carbohydrate molecules, and composed of two sugars called mannose and galactose.

Guar gum is frequently used as a food additive in many processed foods.

It's especially useful in food manufacturing because it's soluble and able to absorb water, forming a gel that can thicken and bind products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it to be generally recognized as safe for consumption in specified amounts in various food products .

The exact nutrient composition of guar gum differs between producers. Guar gum is generally low in calories and mainly composed of soluble fiber. Its protein content may range from 5–6%

It may have some benefits

Guar gum is well known for its ability to thicken and stabilize food products, but it may also provide some health benefits.

Studies indicate that it could be beneficial for a few specific areas of health, including digestion, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and weight maintenance.

High doses could have negative effects

Consuming large amounts of guar gum could have negative health effects.

In the 1990s, a weight loss drug called "Cal-Ban 3,000" hit the market.

It contained a large amount of guar gum, which would swell up to 10–20 times its size in the stomach to promote fullness and weight loss.

Unfortunately, it caused serious problems, including obstruction of the esophagus and small bowel and, in some cases, even death. These dangerous side effects ultimately led the FDA to ban the use of guar gum in weight loss products.

However, keep in mind that these side effects were caused by doses of guar gum that are considerably higher than the amount found in most food products.

The FDA has specific maximum usage levels for different types of food products, ranging from 0.35% in baked goods to 2% in processed vegetable juices.

For example, coconut milk has a maximum guar gum usage level of 1%. This means that a 1-cup (240-gram) serving can contain a maximum of 2.4 grams of guar gum.

Some studies have found no significant side effects with doses up to 15 grams.

Improves digestive health:

Studies have found that guar gum can help relieve constipation, promote the growth of good bacteria, and increase stool frequency. One recent study even suggests that supplementing with a derivative of guar gum known as partially hydrolyzed guar gum can help improve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

Regulates blood sugar levels:

The soluble fiber found in guar gum can slow the absorption of sugar in the small intestine. This can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent blood sugar and insulin spikes.

Optimizes blood cholesterol:

Soluble fibers, such as those found in guar gum, have been shown to have an LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect. Using the gum as a food additive can help increase your daily soluble fiber intake, resulting in a modest improvement in cholesterol numbers.

Acts as a healthy substitute for other thickeners and binders:

By using guar gum and other keto-friendly binders and thickeners, you will no longer have to rely on unhealthy ingredients like corn starch and gluten-containing flours. It can even serve as a stabilizer and emulsifier as well.