Guar Gum Side Effects

Guar gum is nothing but the fiber from the seed of the guar plant. Guar gum is obtained by grinding endosperm of guar beans. Seeds of guar plant are harvested after monsoon and are allowed to dry under the sun. After processing the seeds, you get the natural, white, powdery substance known as guar gum or guaran. India and Pakistan are the leading producers of guar gum which is one of the popular and most common food additives.

Uses of Guar Gum

The gum forms a viscous gel when it comes in contact with water. Those who are fond of baking and cooking must be familiar with this gum. It is easily available in common food stores. It is used as a food thickener. It is an inexpensive, natural food additive and has more thickening ability than cornstarch. It is a great binder and plasticizer as well. It is a principle ingredient in ice-creams, puddings and canned sauces. It prevents formation of ice crystals in ice-creams. Soups, sauces, beverages, puddings, cheese, etc. contain guar gum as a thickening agent. Very small amount of the gum is required for thickening or for offering the desired texture to the food. The gum is also responsible for the yummy flavor of ice-creams and sauces. It also helps lower cholesterol and glucose levels. Guar gum, like xanthan gum is used in gluten free recipes. It is also used as a stabilizer in cheese and cold-meat processing.

Xanthan gum, obtained by mixing corn sugar and bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris is also another commonly used food additive. Those who are allergic to corn, should use products that contain guar gum. In food industry, guar gum is used as a xanthan gum substitute. Gum Arabic, locust bean gum, gum tragacanth or simply tragacanth and carrageenan are sometimes used as guar gum substitutes.

Side Effects of Guar Gum

A few years before, guar gum was used as an ingredient in non-prescription diet pills that were supposed to create a sense of fullness and help curb appetite. People used to take those pills to lose weight. But many people suffered from serious intestinal and duodenal blockages. So, use of guar gum in diet pills was completely banned by the FDA. As a food additive, very small amount of the gum is used in foods. So, it does not usually cause any side effects. Those who have guar gum allergy may suffer from skin rashes. They may suffer from swollen throat, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, etc., if they happen to consume too much of this gum. They should consult a doctor for proper treatment. Antihistamines are used to treat allergies.

Excessive consumption of guar gum may lead to diarrhea. Too much of the gum in stomach may lead to an intestinal distress and the person may feel extremely uncomfortable. Stomach upset, bloating can also be experienced. The gum expands in the intestine and offers a feeling of fullness. So when taken in excessive amount, it may cause intestinal blockage. Though a natural high fiber product, guar gum can cause gastrointestinal upset in some people. Mild side effects of guar gum disappear once you stop consuming products containing the gum.

Side Effects of Partially Hydrolysed Guar Gum

While guar gum forms a gel, partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) is completely soluble in water and soft food. When added, it does not change the color and taste of the food. PHGG is a water-soluble dietary fiber. It is a great source of dietary fiber and hence is used in enteral products and beverages. It enhances the production of Bifidobacterium in the gut and thus helps improve your digestive health. It helps maintain regularity. So far, no side effects of PHGG are noticed. More studies are required to find out and prove the long term side effects of PHGG.

To avoid guar gum side effects, you are expected to drink plenty of water after consumption of food containing the gum. Since study reports do not prove the safety and efficacy of the gum in pregnancy and lactation, pregnant and lactating women should avoid products containing guar gum. If proper care is taken, there are less chances of experiencing side effects of guar gum. One should avoid taking guar gum 2 weeks before any type of surgery.