Is This Food Additive A Gut Punch?

Countless items in grocery store aisles and freezer sections have ingredient lists that are a paragraph long. These additives are either a struggle to pronounce or sound like a biological weapon.

One such ingredient is xanthan gum, a thickener and stabilizer that helps give many foods their familiar texture and consistency. It’s commonly found in sauces, ready-made frozen meals, gluten-free bread and baked goods, and some ice creams and yogurts.

Now, researchers are asking whether regular consumption could have an unintended consequence: affecting our gut health.

Scientists at the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil found that rats consuming xanthan gum for 10 weeks developed moderate inflammation in their colons. The animals also had changes in their gut bacteria and lower integrity of the intestinal barrier —the protective lining that separates the digestive tract's contents from the rest of the body.

The researchers learned that chronic xanthan gum intake altered a protein that helps regulate this barrier. They also found increased immune cells in the colon, suggesting the animals were experiencing an inflammatory response.

The rats’ gut microbiota—microorganisms found in animals and humans—also changed, including an increase in certain bacteria associated with inflammation.

This isn't the first time xanthan gum has raised concerns.

In 2011, researchers reported cases of premature infants developing a serious intestinal condition after consuming formula thickened with xanthan gum. At least three infants died, and the FDA recommended that it not be used in foods for premature infants.

The digestive systems of premature infants are obviously far different from those of healthy adults. However, these cases contribute to researchers' interest in understanding precisely how this additive interacts with the gut.

Because the studies were conducted on rats, the Brazilian scientists aren’t ready to vilify the additive. Occasionally enjoying ice cream with xanthan gum isn't the same as consuming multiple processed products every day.

Alarmingly, however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that about 60% of Americans' daily caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods. This percentage is even higher among children, reaching close to 70%.

If humans and rats are similarly affected by xanthan gum, a large portion of our population has a potential storm brewing in their guts and, by extension, their brains.

The gut and brain are intricately connected, and microbiota imbalances can influence mood and cognitive function, potentially leading to conditions like anxiety and depression.

How does this information about xanthan gum strike you? Like me, you may feel pulled to examine food labels in your kitchen. I’m curious to learn what you find.