What is Gum Arabic?

Gum Arabic is the natural gum made from the sap of acacia tree found in the regions of African Sahel including Sudan, Senegal, India, Pakistan, and Somalia. This is primarily used as a stabilizing agent emulsifier that only means that this can bind the ingredients together, which would typically fall apart. This is commonly used in the world of food, yet it has properties, which enable this to be widely used in printing and cosmetics industry. The gum is very unique and distinct in comparison to some natural gums as this is extremely soluble in water and don’t have much taste.

Gum Arabic has been tested extensively for human consumption and it’s one of the safest you can digest. Once used in food industry, this is typically used as an additive sweetener in a lot of beverages and foods. This is also used in soft drinks that thicken the confectionery, jelly, liquid, dessert mixes, soup bases, and much more. Once used in baking, it can help cakes to rise and increase the cake’s natural fiber content. In the bakeries, you’ll find the gum that’s widely sprayed on the pastries and breads to give a glossy look as well as to help keep the content of moisture, which increase the shelf life of the product.

What is Xanthan Gum?

Xanthan gum is derived from wheat, soy or corn, so unless you know where your XG source is coming from, then you like to avoid it if you’re allergic to gluten and living a lifestyle that’s gluten-free as this may contain some traces of gluten. Contact the product’s manufacture or check their site for more details on the XG’s source before you start to consume it. As a consumer, you need to know what you’re consuming, so take time and make a research.

Xanthan gum is known as food additive and this is safe once used in moderate amounts, assuming you’re not allergic to it. This is a type of fiber and several people could find this indigestible. If you’re allergic to gluten, you have to avoid and be cautious with Xanthan gum because this could be from corn. It isn’t also recommended for pregnant women and those who are breast feeding, have intestine pain or bowel problems.