Vegetable Gum:
How Is It Used In
Your Healthy Snacks
Are you on a gluten free diet? Many ingredient labels specify vegetable gum on their ingredient labels. Are you confused as to what they are, which ones are gluten free and are you allowed to consume them in your healthy snacks? Below is a list of the most widely used gums and a brief description of each. This information should help you make an educated decision as to whether the product in question is safe for you to consume. Vegetable Gums Allowed on a Gluten Free DietCarob Bean is from a carob tree, which is a flowering evergreen shrub. The tree is raised specifically for the purpose of removing its edible seed pods. This seed pod is known as the locust bean (gum).Processed carob is either dried or roasted. Many people say it has a slightly sweet taste which reminds them of chocolate. Formerly, the carob pod was used as a sweetener before sugar cane and sugar beets became so widely available. Other Uses For The Carob Bean- Used as a thickener in many processed foods
- Pods are consumed as an edible snack
- In some countries, it is made into a liquer or other drink
- Is used effectively for relieving diarrhea in infants
- Used as a natural source of animal feed
- Non-toxic alternative food for dogs(instead of chocolate) because there is no theobromine
Cellulose Gum is generally not used very often in this country. It is a fermentable fiber source derived from plants. It is most often used, and seen, as a dietary fiber supplement. Gum Arabic and Gum Acacia are both a natural gum (sap) which is removed from two species of the acacia tree. Each is used in the food industry as a stabilizer. Gum Tragacanth is a natural gum taken from the root of a legume plant. As there are other gums available for use in this country which will obtain the same results, gum tragacanth is used infrequently because it is very difficult to obtain a consistent supply. Guar Gum and Xanthan Gum are both used generally as emulsifiers (prevents oil and water ingredients from separating) and as stabilizers (allows particles to stay suspended without all settling to the bottom) in the food industry. These two also have the capability of obtaining good results when used in gluten free baking of breads, cakes, pies etc.. Vegetable Gums Not Allowed In A Gluten Free DietOat Gum is the most prevalent gum on the "Do Not Use" list. Because of the high risk of cross contamination during growth, processing and milling, shipping or storage, it is highly recommended you avoid oat gum as a source of vegetable gum in any finished product.What If It Is Not Specified What Gum Is UsedAs with any other food product you check, if the ingredient label does not specify which type of vegetable gum was used during production, do not consume any of this product until you check with the manufacturer.
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*Disclaimer*
This site is not intended to replace the advice and supervision of your professional medical treatment plan. Although all of the information is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge, we still recommend you carefully check all food labels before consuming any food product. We can not assume any legal responsibility for any illness obtained while following the advice contained on this site.
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