Guar gum (E412)

Guar gum is also called guaran, guar gum, guar tree gum and thickener E412. This dietary supplement, obtained from natural raw materials, is highly safe for the human body and even provides some health benefits, which is why it is used in the manufacture of many products. The main properties – thickening, improvement and stabilization of the structure, emulsification of components immiscible in the normal state, make it in demand in the production of various desserts, ice cream, milk-based products. In addition, fans of molecular cuisine also often use this ingredient in their recipes.

Chemical properties of a substance, its origin

Guar gum is a food supplement that is extracted from natural raw materials. It is obtained from the beans of the guar tree or Indian acacia, which is also called the pea tree. By the name it becomes clear that the birthplace of the plant is India. 80% of the total volume of the substance produced in the world enters the world market from this country. The rest of the additive is obtained from raw materials grown in the USA, Canada, Australia and Africa, where the plant is specially cultivated for this purpose.

To obtain the substance, the seeds of the tree are ground, and the resulting mass is subjected to dehydration and ground into powder. In its structure, it is wood glue or resin, which is released from damaged bark and seeds. The husks and germs of the seeds are separated during processing and go into the production of feed for livestock, they are also called “guar meal”.

In its chemical composition, guar gum is similar to locust bean gum, and has similar properties: this polymeric compound contains residues of galactose and mannose.

Guaran looks like a white powder with small particles that has no taste or smell. The substance has a high solubility in water of any temperature, when combined with which it turns into a viscous white gel. Basically, the additive is used as an emulsifier to create oil-water and water-oil mixtures.

As a stabilizer, it helps to preserve the structure, appearance, shape, color and smell of the product in its original form, as well as slowing down the formation of ice crystals when food is frozen, thereby helping to maintain its uniform consistency.

In addition, the food additive performs the function of retaining moisture, regulating the viscosity and improving the elasticity of the product, increases its output volume and extends the shelf life.

Guar gum in industry

Thanks to the described properties, the food additive E412 has found its application in food production.

It is added to such food:

• ice cream and chilled desserts (the additive reduces the rate of ice crystallization);
• jellies, jams, toppings (used as a stabilizer);
• cheeses and dairy products (used to stabilize the structure);
• meat products;
• bakery products and pastries (improves the properties of flour, and, as a result, the texture of future bread);
• oil and cooking fats (provides the interaction of the components);
• sauces, ketchups, seasonings (gives the consistency a greater density);
• fast food – dry soups, mashed potatoes and noodles;
• juices;
• canned fish.

In combination with substances such as locust bean gum, carrageenan, pectin, agar, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, methylcellulose, the properties of each of the components are enhanced, so manufacturers often use them together.

In addition to the manufacture of food, guarana is used in the drilling of oil and gas wells, in the textile, paper, coal and cosmetic industries, in the production of explosives. It is also added to dietary supplements, as well as to some medications for diabetics, as guar gum helps slow down the absorption of sugar in the intestines. In tablets and syrups, the substance has a binding effect.

The effect of a substance on the body, the benefits and harms of use

Regarding guar gum, there are several points of view among scientists and physicians. Some argue that the additive does more harm than good to a person, as it is synthesized from raw materials that are not typical for food use.

However, most experts are confident in the safety of guar gum supplements for the human body. Moreover, studies conducted by the world community have shown that the substance can have a positive effect on health.

Products that contain guar gum help reduce appetite and the level of “bad” cholesterol, improve metabolism and absorption of calcium, remove toxic substances and toxins from the intestines.

For overweight people, E412 food supplement is a popular ingredient in dietary products, as it prolongs the feeling of satiety from the food eaten.

An important feature of the substance is that it is not absorbed in the intestines and is not deposited in the body, but is completely excreted. The study of the effects of eating food with guar gum confirmed that it does not have toxic, poisonous or allergenic properties. There were also no cases of poisoning by her.

However, you should not abuse this substance in your diet, since an overdose of food with it in the composition may cause unpleasant symptoms: nausea, increased gas formation in the intestines, pain and spasms of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the 1980s, there were several deaths in America associated with the use of a weight loss supplement. The reason for this was a violation of the functioning of the intestine due to the increased use of guar gum with a significant lack of fluid in the body. Therefore, the use of supplements for weight loss is not appropriate and effective. Rather, it can be used to make the diet more dietary, for example, by adding a substance to homemade ice cream, and thereby reduce its fat content.

Since, in fact, guar gum is a fiber, it can impair the absorption of certain drugs, so it is better to check with your doctor about the possibility of combining it with drugs. Usually, medicinal products and vitamins are recommended to be consumed separately from guarana.

In Ukraine, Russia, the countries of the European Union, the USA and Canada, the use of the substance in food products, including baby food, is allowed.

Food additive E412 or guar gum is a common ingredient in desserts, drinks, dairy and meat products, juices, and various sauces. It is best known for its stabilizing and emulsifying properties, the ability to improve the consistency of foods, as well as slow down the crystallization of ice in food that has been frozen. Delicate, airy and smooth ice cream without ice crystals creaking on the teeth is the result of adding guar gum to it. This supplement is one of the few completely safe for humans, since to date, any information about the harmful effects on the human body has not been confirmed. For children, the elderly and pregnant women, there are no prohibitions on the use of products with guarana in their composition.