Welcome to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge! Each day in April (except Sundays) I’ll be posting about unusual and exotic foods.
I don’t even have to ask you if you’d eat it (even though I will), because odds are you have ingested xanthan gum. It’s in some toothpastes. It’s in some salad dressings. It’s in some wallpaper paste. Yes, xanthan gum is a plant-based food thickener. So where does it come from? Well, it’s made from bacteria that infect numerous plants. So yes, it’s plant-based. And the finished product doesn’t contain any viable bacteria.
Some studies have found that xanthan gum, when added to foods, may help lower blood sugar. It may lower cholesterol. Because it helps to bind water, it can be used for its laxative effect. It has no nutritional value.
I’ll ask it anyway – would you eat xanthan gum?
Martha Reynolds Writes 
well…..does it really really lower cholesterol ? Great use for X that’s for sure! Cheers!
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I see it listed in so many products. Thanks for the info
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I buy Bob’s Red Mill products all the time, but this is one that I’ve never tried. I doubt I ever will.
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But you’ve probably had it already, Deb!
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Have used it many times!
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I’ll stick with good old MSG!!!
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Kung Pao!
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I do, Martha. But in very small amounts. A 1/4 teaspoon is enough to thicken a whole stew – any more than that gets gloppy. Lol My husband and I avoid carbs (of which wheat flour and cornstarch are loaded). Xanthan gum is a good option and one small bag lasts a long time. 🙂
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That’s what I’ve heard – a staple in gluten free diets.
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I eat it all the time, it’s an ingredient in the gluten-free flour that I use and in many other gluten-free products. Since I’m doing more baking these days, I guess I’m eating more xanthan gum too. 🙂
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well yes! I’m sorry we only have a few letters of the alphabet left You never disappoint with your AtoZ April blogs. Can’t wait to see what next year has in store for us. Thank you for putting in the effort every year!
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Hmm, seems like it’s not a choice!
X is for…
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I’ve never purchased it, but would if a recipe called for it. Very good choice for ‘X’. Never would have been in my radar.
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Thanks, Denise.
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I’ll look out for Xanthan gum next time I eat salad dressing or clean my teeth. Looks like it may even be good for you? Clever word for X and a big milestone to reach.
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Thank you, Linda!
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