Xanthan Gum - Benefits, Uses, Dosage, Supplement Reviews
Updated Jun. 20th, 2023
Xanthan gum is actually a byproduct of the metabolism of sugar by a particular bacterium (Xanthomonas campestris), which is now manufactured for use in a variety of industries. It is commonly used as a stabilizer that can thicken manufactured products and prevent their separation during storage.
What products use xanthan gum?
New uses for xanthan gum are being discovered all of the time. The most common current uses in the manufacturing industry are in cosmetic products, shampoo, and foods mixing oil and water-based ingredients such as salad dressings.
What does it do?
Interestingly, when it is shaken, mixed, or chewed, xanthan gum will become thin and can easily be mixed and digested, but when it is no longer in motion, such as in a bottle or after baking, it quickly thickens again allowing it to help stabilize the structure of the substance it is mixed with. In salad dressing, toothpaste and many ice creams, it acts to keep mixtures suspended and create a more pleasant texture for the consumer. Xanthan gum is also widely used in gluten-free baking to give the dough the elasticity that is normally provided by the gluten of other flours.
Laxative Effects
Larger doses than those found in foods or baking (~15g daily) of xanthan gum can be used as a laxative, and this is thought to be the reason more sensitive people may have diarrhea and bloating when they eat xanthan gum. Because of its higher cost relative to other laxatives available, xanthan gum is not commonly used in this way.
How do I use xanthan gum in gluten-free baking?
As mentioned above, xanthan gum can easily be added into most gluten-free recipes to help return some of the properties to baked goods that are lost when gluten is not present. When adding this substance to your baking it is important to measure it carefully.
I've been enjoying NN's articles. They're very informative and there are so many to learn from. This one was great because I was wanting to learn more about xanthan gum and how to use it.
Hello Ashley,
We love you're enjoying our articles and able to learn from them! We work hard on them to provide you with the knowledge you're looking for in natural health so you can make better informed decisions about your well-being.
Stay healthy & well!
Have used Xanthan gum for baking as it is a great thickener especially when you are using other flours than wheat based. It essentially makes other flours like sorghum, buckwheat, amaranth, rice etc more pliable and easy to work with. I also use it to thicken sauces. A little goes a long way.
Hello Roger,
Thank you for sharing and glad you enjoyed our article, if you like baking and cooking, you should check out our recipes:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Have a healthy day.
I have recently begun using Xanthan gum in baking and love what it does. If you are not able to use gluten flours and need a binder, Xanthan gum is a great choice. A little goes a long way and it does a really good job in holding flours that don’t contain gluten e.g. almond flour, coconut flour which have both become a staple in various diets. I have used Xanthan gum in thickening gravies and the like the results are pretty good as long as you know how to use it in liquids. Great article.
Hello AL,
Thank you for sharing and we're glad you enjoy this product and article. If you're looking for new recipe ideas, check out this section of our articles:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Have a healthy day!
I recently got some xanthan gum as a free sample and it has just been laying around because I had no clue hw to use it. Your baking guide is short, sweet and super practical + useful. A little goes a long way which is absolutely awesome! I know this isn't very whole foods but I love veganizing Betty Crocker cake mix when I need to bring a dessert for parties. The only issue is it tends to be too soft (haha it is very fall-apart). The next time I do this I will try adding xantham gum so that things stick together better. Thank you for all of the great baking inspiration :D
Hello Rachel,
You're welcome! We're thrilled to hear that our baking guide has been helpful to you. Xanthan gum can indeed work wonders in improving the texture and stability of baked goods. It's great to know that you've found a way to veganize your favourite cake mix by incorporating xanthan gum for better cohesion. Check out some of our healthy baking recipes, we think you'll enjoy them, https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Happy baking!