Xanthan gum and gut health – overview
- Brazilian study links xanthan gum to colon inflammation
- Researchers observed microbiota changes and reduced intestinal barrier integrity
- Higher xanthan gum doses produced stronger inflammatory responses overall
- Findings may increase reformulation pressures and clean-label scrutiny
Xanthan gum is used in thousands of food and beverage products worldwide.
The popular additive can be found in gummies and ice creams, syrups and sauces, and even soups and smoothies.
Why?
Because it works as a thickening and stabilising agent, ensuring a smooth texture and consistent mouthfeel. It also prevents ingredients from separating, keeps particles suspended in liquids, and performs reliably across a wide range of temperatures, pH levels and processing conditions, making it a highly versatile choice for formulators. Plus, a small amount of xanthan gum goes a long way, making it cost effective too.
But research out of Brazil could change consumer perceptions of xanthan gum, forcing reformulations.
Xanthan gum and gut health
A new study, conducted by scientists at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), has linked long-term consumption of xanthan gum to colon inflammation, changes in gut microbiota, and reduced intestinal barrier integrity.
Rats fed the additive developed an inflammatory state marked by a greater numbers of lymphocytes (immune defense cells), within the intestinal wall. This response was strongest amongst those receiving medium and high doses of xanthan gum.
Meanwhile biochemical testing identified significant disruption of the intestinal barrier.
The rats also had elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α, which says the team, is further evidence of an inflammatory response.
“TNF-alpha, in particular, is associated with the death of cells lining the intestine and the development of inflammatory diseases,” says nutritionist and author on the study, Alessandra Rischiteli.
She goes on to explain that long-term consumption did not significantly reduce the overall diversity of the rats’ gut microbiota, but it did change the balance among microbial groups.
One major shift being the increase in bacteria belonging to the phylum Elusimicrobiota, which has been associated with inflammatory conditions.
The research team were quick to point out that, as the data was based on rats, further studies were needed.
“It’s possible that occasional use in small amounts as an additive doesn’t harm health,” says Rischiteli. “The concern is with daily use as an ingredient and the cumulative effect of the thickener.”
Scientific and clinical interest in xanthan gum has increased in recent years, with the additive found in many ultra-processed foods, protein shakes, and supplements.
Implications for industry
The latest findings are unlikely to trigger an immediate backlash against xanthan gum.
However, they add to a growing body of evidence linking certain food additives and emulsifiers to changes in gut health, a topic that’s attracting increasing attention from scientists, regulators and consumers.
This could concern manufacturers who rely heavily on the additive.
Xanthan gum is deeply embedded within the food industry, so finding a direct replacement would pose major challenges, and any reformulation efforts would require extensive testing to ensure product performance remains unchanged.
The results could also prompt consumers to take a closer look at ingredients labels, as the clean label movement continues to gather pace.
And, brands positioned around naturalness or gut health are likely to come under particular pressure to review their use of xanthan gum if concerns around long-term consumption continue to mount.
Industry observers will be watching to see whether regulators, researchers or ingredient suppliers respond to the findings.
For now, xanthan gum remains one of the food and beverage industry’s most widely used additives. Whether new gut health research will alter its trajectory remains to be seen.
