Guar gum effect on the human body. How to use guar gum in cooking

Uncontrolled use of biological additives can cause serious disruption of the digestive system. Several years ago, deaths from overdose of the E 412 supplement were recorded in the United States. Studies conducted by FAO/WHO experts proved that the effectiveness of the drugs is greatly exaggerated, guarana is not able to significantly reduce weight.

Hello, dear readers. Some of us who closely study the ingredients in stores have probably often noticed guar gum in the ingredient list. The controversy surrounding this component does not subside - some claim that it is extremely harmful, while others do not really know what it is. So, what is guar gum, is it beneficial or harmful?

In fact, everything is much simpler. The gum is made from a tree called guar. It grows in Canada, Australia, Africa and the United States of America. Guar gum is labeled as additive E412, which scares many consumers. Guar gum is used as a natural thickener for the product or to increase viscosity. The tree seeds are thoroughly dried and then ground. Another name for the tree is pea because of its corresponding appearance.

Properties of guar gum

Actually, why do manufacturers add such a strange substance to their products? One of the main properties of gum is its transformation into a gel after freezing. That is, ice crystals do not form in the product, which spoil everything.

Based on this, we can present a list of products that will contain this substance 100%:

• Jams, preserves.
• Jelly and desserts made from it.
• Ice cream.
• Sauces - mayonnaise, ketchup and others.
• Dry soups that need to be brewed with boiling water.

Gum can also be found in pet food. If we talk about other industries, it is used in the textile industry, the production of gasoline, paper and rockets.

Guar gum benefits

To understand whether “guar gum” is useful, you first need to know its chemical composition. Gum is a polysaccharide and also contains a huge amount of fatty acids, which are very beneficial for the human body.

A few years ago, when E412 began to be used in the production of products, panic arose - the additive is very harmful! Then, when the composition was fully studied and the method of extracting the substance was revealed, the controversy subsided a little. However, even now you can find statements about the dangers of products with this additive. It is a myth! Here is a list of the beneficial effects of guar gum on the body:

• Due to its solid structure, it perfectly removes waste and toxins from the body. The intestines are also completely cleansed.
• The level of harmful substances in the blood is regulated, the harmful effects of heavy metals are neutralized.
• The gum also perfectly cleanses human blood, removes cholesterol plaques in blood vessels, and with regular use reduces blood pressure.
• Improves the absorption of beneficial microelements, such as potassium and magnesium.
• The additive is very often added to products for diabetic patients. It has been scientifically proven that E412 lowers blood sugar levels and also regulates carbohydrate metabolism.
• Appetite noticeably decreases. This is why guar gum is often added to products for those who want to lose weight.

Using guar gum for weight loss

We should dwell on the topic of losing weight in more detail, because almost every woman dreams of getting her figure into ideal condition. How does gum promote weight loss?

The first factor is a gradual decrease in appetite. Very often, weight is gained due to a constant feeling of hunger and unhealthy snacks. E412, due to its dense structure, fills the stomach for a long time and gives a feeling of fullness. Metabolism gradually accelerates, as the body learns to completely process all food reserves, and then start working on subcutaneous fat reserves.

In addition, the supplement has an extremely low calorie content - about 20 kcal per 100 grams. And one more bonus - a light cleansing effect.

Alas, women who want to lose weight began to uncontrollably take drugs with guar gum, without a doctor’s prescription and exceeding all permissible limits. As a result, several cases of death from the use of such additives have been recorded. And there is an explanation for this - repeatedly exceeding the dose of gum in itself leads to severe poisoning, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is these phenomena that lead to dehydration and death.

Therefore, it is extremely important to remember one old truth - there is medicine in a spoon, poison in a cup. This directly applies not only to the use of guar gum, but also to all food additives. Even harmless vitamins, when overdosed, can lead to disastrous results.

When it comes to self-care, guar gum has a huge list of beneficial properties. For example, on the skin the substance creates a special film that protects the epidermis from cold, wind, sunlight, exhaust gases and other harmful substances. At the same time, oxygen exchange works as it should, the pores breathe.

The unique properties of the additive are to enhance the moisturizing and nourishing effect of cosmetic products. Gum added to the hydrolate will several times increase the hydration of the epidermis and the penetration of beneficial substances deep into the skin. When preparing homemade cosmetics, it is important to understand one point - the total amount of “guar gum” should not exceed 1, and preferably 0.5 percent. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting a huge number of side effects.

1 recipe— mash a large, fleshy aloe leaf with a fork, add a couple of drops of vitamin E and an egg yolk. Add a small pinch of gum, mix and let the mixture swell for about 20 minutes. Apply the mixture to a cleansed and steamed face for half an hour. Next, the mixture is thoroughly washed off.

2 recipe. Mix a tablespoon of rich sour cream with a mashed piece of banana. Add a couple of drops of vitamin A and E, add a pinch of gum. As in the first recipe, let the mixture swell and put it on your face for half an hour.

Here are a couple more recipes for facial skin:

• Dry skin will love the mixture of banana, cream and guar gum. Mix all ingredients in a 1 to 1 ratio. Let the guar powder swell and apply the mixture to the face. After forty minutes, carefully remove the mask with a damp cloth.
• A mask made from protein and lemon juice with gum is ideal for oily skin. To do this, take the white of one egg, add a couple of drops of lemon juice and a tiny pinch of guar gum. Stir the mixture and wait for it to swell. Apply several layers to the face as each layer dries. After 20 minutes, remove the protein with cool water.

And the simplest option is to add a pinch of powder to the flower hydrosol; you will get a very useful toner for the facial skin.

By the way, you can use the product not only for face care, but also for hair.

Guar gum for hair

The recipe for the simplest mask is 100 ml. Mix kefir with yolk and a pinch of guar gum. Apply to hair and cover with a shower cap. For a better effect, you can wrap your head in a towel. After an hour, wash off the mask and enjoy manageable curls. You can add it to the mixture to get a pleasant smell.

If you take 160 ml. chamomile hydrosol and add about a couple of tablespoons to it olive oil and a couple of pinches of gum, it makes an excellent shower gel. The mixture is shaken before use. By adding any essential oils, you can change the aroma to your liking. This product cleanses the skin and moisturizes it.

Facial gel

You can also try making a natural facial gel. For this purpose in 20 ml. Dissolve a teaspoon of powder in warm water. Let it swell and beat. Add a couple of drops of rosemary oil and a little almond oil, whisk thoroughly again. The mixture is stored exclusively in the refrigerator and no longer than two weeks. It is best to use a clean spatula for application rather than scooping the gel with your fingers.

Anti-cellulite gel

It can be prepared from the following ingredients - 100 ml. water, a teaspoon of thickener, 10 drops each of orange, grapefruit and lemon essential oils. Beat the mixture. We use it to massage problem areas.

Guar gum cooking recipes

Because women increasingly prefer natural care products, as well as food products. Let's start with home cooking:

• The main use of E412 is homemade healthy baking without regular white flour. For example, bran bread simply will not rise without it, therefore, as a result, you risk getting a gloopy cake rather than fluffy bread. There is also no yeast in this recipe, so the bread will be healthy and tasty. For those who are forced to use gluten-free flour, gum will also be useful - it plays the role of a binding component in the dough.
• Homemade ice cream, jam, ketchup. Those who have ever tried to make homemade sauce or ice cream on their own note that it is very difficult to achieve a store-bought texture. By adding guar gum, you get a product identical to the store-bought one, but without harmful preservatives or flavor enhancers.

Why not try gum as a natural thickener? This information will be especially relevant for those who prefer a healthy diet, but cannot live without products such as ice cream, ketchup or mayonnaise.

So let's start with ice cream. In one liter of milk add two tablespoons of sugar (varie to your taste), a teaspoon of guara powder and whisk thoroughly. Once all the ingredients are completely dissolved, place our ice cream in the freezer. In a couple of hours it will be ready. As you can see, the composition does not contain vegetable fat, palm oil, dyes, preservatives, etc.

Homemade mayonnaise is also very easy to make. We begin to beat one large egg with a small amount of vegetable oil - about 50 ml. Add three grams of gum, 100 ml. kefir, a teaspoon of mustard and a drop of vinegar. Beat the mixture well. Homemade mayonnaise is ready! If you wish, you can add herbs, pickled cucumbers or a little hot pepper to it.

Let's experiment and make homemade ketchup? If it is not possible to purchase seasonal tomatoes, we use high-quality tomato paste. Why add anything to it if the paste can already be used as ketchup, some will ask? The fact is that some people like the texture of store-bought ketchup. If you took fresh tomatoes, then pour boiling water over them, then ice water and remove the skins. Remove the seeds and grind the vegetable in a blender. Boil over fire to remove excess water. Now add a pinch of sugar, a pinch of salt, a pinch of gum and mix. The fire is off! Let the mixture swell. Taste the ketchup and add if something is missing. A drop of vinegar and a little ground black pepper will brighten the taste.

If you only have tomato paste, then heat it a little on the fire. Add a small pinch of guar gum, equal parts salt and sugar. Let it swell and try. You can add sour apple puree to the mixture, in which case the amount of sugar and salt increases.

Now you know everything about such an additive as guar gum. As you can see, there is much more benefit from it than harm. In addition, the scope of application of this natural thickener is wide, and the price is not high.

5000 cP and 3500 cP, in standard solution) is used in the food industry as a consistency stabilizer and has the following properties:

• increase in viscosity;
• gelling properties.

Guar gum is highly soluble in cold water, is compatible with most other plant hydrocolloids, such as agar-agar, carrageenan, locust bean gum, pectin, methylcellulose, etc., which improve consistency, such combinations can have a mutually positive effect.

It is believed that it is practically not absorbed in the intestines and helps reduce appetite and is very effective in reducing cholesterol and saturated fat levels in the body.

Used in the production of sauces and yoghurts.

May cause allergies.

Guarana as a food additive E412 is used in the food industry as a stabilizer, thickener and structurer. Guar gum is a polysaccharide and is a fairly highly soluble substance. Additive E412 is supplied to food industry enterprises in the form of crushed pale powder with a white tint. Guar gum is extracted from guar beans (Indian acacia pods), grown mainly in India and Pakistan. Approximately 80% of the world's guar gum production comes from India. Guar gum is also produced in the USA, Africa, Canada and Australia. The production method is to obtain an extract from the seeds of the Cyamopsis tetragonolobus plant. In its chemical composition, guar gum is similar to locust bean gum (food additive E410). It is a polymer compound that contains galactose residues. At the same time, guarana is quite hard and has increased elasticity and solubility in water. Due to this, it is considered a very beneficial emulsifier and stabilizer. This additive also has good stability during the cycle of freezing and thawing products. In the human body, guarana is practically not absorbed by the intestines, so it is considered to be beneficial for health. This supplement reduces appetite and effectively reduces high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol in the body. Guar gum also helps remove toxins and harmful bacteria from the intestines and increases the absorption of calcium by the body. Used in dietary nutrition, helping to provide a feeling of satiety in the body. Supplement E412 is added to diabetic medications to slow the absorption of sugar in the intestines. At the end of 1980 in the United States, the supplement was actively used in weight loss medications. As a result, at least 10 people were hospitalized with fatal due to blockage of the esophagus as a result of using drugs in large quantities with insufficient fluid intake. Later, research conducted by scientists proved the ineffectiveness of guar gum in weight loss. The main property of guar gum is the ability to slow down the crystallization of ice in various frozen products, due to which it is especially often used in ice cream or in the manufacture of a variety of chilled confectionery products. Also, as a stabilizer, the E412 additive can be used in the meat industry and bakery production, increasing the shelf life of products and giving them greater elasticity and density. In addition, the additive is used as a stabilizer for cheeses and some other dairy products (kefir, yogurt, milk), as well as in jellies, jams and frozen desserts. E412 improves appearance various salads, seasonings and ketchups. It is also found in syrups and juices, various food concentrates, dry soups, canned fish, various oils, fats, and even pet food.

Other uses of guar gum:

• Textile industry;
• Paper industry;
• Production of explosives;
• Cosmetics industry;
• Oil and gas industry;
• Coal industry.

Applications of Guar Gum in Oil Drilling Industry When used during oil drilling, guar gum prevents the loss of water from the viscous drilling fluid and well suspends the bentonite clay used in the drilling fluid.

Guar gum performs this function very well and is less expensive than most other drilling fluid thickeners. However, it has limitations in that it is less heat stable than xanthan gum at temperatures above 100 degrees C. This limitation can largely be overcome by using its hydroxypropyl derivatives, which are more heat stable.

To increase oil production through hydraulic fracturing, a proppant, such as sand suspended in a solution thickened with guar or hydroxypropyl guar, is pumped into the well under pressure to create and expand cracks in the rock and allow oil/gas to seep into the well.

Due to the formation of cross-links with borate or transition metal ions, Zr and Ti, in situ gelatinization of injected guar gum often occurs. After hydraulic fracturing is completed, the gel is destroyed and washed away, with a minimal amount remaining after destruction. Application in the field of petroleum extraction is one of the main uses of guar gum.

Receipt

Guar gum is obtained from the seeds of the Cyamopsis tetraganoloba plant, a grain legume known as the guar, or pea tree. In Europe, Russia and Kazakhstan, guar gum (E412) was banned, and in Ukraine?..

The Chief Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation, Gennady Onishchenko, ordered to stop production and remove from sale food products containing guar gum (food additive E412) made in India or Switzerland, according to the official website of Rospotrebnadzor.

The head of Rospotrebnadzor signed the Resolution of August 31 “On food products in the manufacture of which guar gum (E412) with a high content of dioxin and pentachlorophenol was used.” The document obliges enterprises involved in the production and distribution of the specified food additive and food products containing guar gum of Indian or Swiss origin to stop their production and withdraw them from sale.

On the product label the additive is designated as E412 or as “Vidokrem B”, “Vidokrem D”. Guar gum (other names: guar gum, guar) is a thickener that increases viscosity.

The reason for the ban on the additive and products containing it was a notification sent to European countries by the Directorate General of Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission about the need to withdraw from retail chains the chocolate soy drink of the German company Natumi - SojaDrink Schoko Enerbio, as well as information from Switzerland, Germany and Finland .

According to data received by Rospotrebnadzor, the content of a number of toxic substances in a batch of guar gum received from India significantly exceeded WHO permissible levels.

Russian consumers are advised to temporarily refrain from eating chocolate soy drink from the German company Natumi - SojaDrink Schoko Enerbio, as well as dairy products from the German company Karwendel Huber GMBH and Co. In addition, the list names fifteen percent cooking cream from the Valio company (product code 209534, expiration date 10/17/2007 or earlier). In Europe, dangerous products are also being withdrawn from retail chains. Additional materials

“Izvestia” for 09/03/2007: Why did this E412 or, “in Russian” speaking, guar gum scare the European Commission? The fact is that EU experts discovered in it an unacceptable content of dioxin and pentachlorophenol - toxic substances that can not only cause irreparable harm to the health of the consumer, but also cause various anomalies in the body, maim and even disfigure a person (it was dioxin that poisoned the current President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko). The manufacturing companies are not to blame for what happened. They were let down by companies from India, which has been the main supplier of guar gum for more than half a century (for example, last year India supplied about 800 thousand tons of this ingredient to the world market). At the same time, there were no complaints against Indians before. But now serious trouble awaits them. According to experts, in the near future the volume of supplies of guar gum may decrease by 20%. Meanwhile, the reasons for the incident are not yet clear. European Union experts will go to India in a few days to find out.

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan (03.10.2007): Based on an emergency notification from the General Directorate of Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission, by the Resolution of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Kazakhstan Belonog A.A. dated September 28, 2007 No. 20, the sale of chocolate soy drink from NATUMI - SOJADRINK SCHOKO ENERBIO (Germany), dairy products (fruit yoghurts) from KARWENDEL HUBER GMBH AND CO, 15% cooking cream from the company is prohibited in Kazakhstan<Валио>(product code 209534, expiration date on or before October 17, 2007) containing guar gum (E412) of Indian or Swiss origin and found to contain elevated levels of dioxin and pentachlorophenol. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan recommends that consumers temporarily refrain from eating these products. Government agencies sanitary and epidemiological supervision has been instructed to strengthen supervision over the import and circulation in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan of guar gum (E412) produced by UNIPEKTIN AG, food additives<Видокрем B>, <Видокрем D>and food products containing them.

see also

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Guar gum, or guar gum, is a food additive related to stabilizers, emulsifiers, and thickeners. It is used industrially as a thickener that increases viscosity. In this article you will learn about the benefits, harms and uses of guar gum.

What it is

Guar gum is a product of the extraction of the seeds of the pea tree or guar.. This leguminous crop is grown in Pakistan, Australia, USA, and Africa. The largest producer of guar gum is India: it accounts for more than 80% of world production.

Guar gum is used as a thickener in the production of textiles, paper, and cosmetics., in pharmaceuticals and food production.

However, more than 70% of the world's resin is used in the oil and gas industry.

The demand for it is so high that in many Indian states farmers are provided with free seeds and are encouraged to grow it instead of cotton.

This is due to a sharp increase in shale oil and gas production. Guar gum is not only the main ingredient in hydraulic fracturing fluids, but it is also the cheapest.

In the food industry, guara extract is used as a fixative, stabilizer and thickener and is designated by the index E412. Knowing about the unequal attitude of buyers towards additives with the E index, many manufacturers write guar or guarana on product packaging.

It includes:

• chilled products (cocktails, cold desserts, ice cream), slowing down the formation of crystalline ice, stabilizing the consistency;
• ketchups, sauces, giving them a denser consistency;
• dairy and meat products, jams, cheese products, jelly as a stabilizer;
• canned fish and meat, canned soups, juice concentrates, improving the structure of the product;
• bakery products, as a replacement for expensive baking powder.

How to choose a good product

You can buy guar gum in stores that sell healthy food products, components for home cosmetics, or from wholesalers who supply it to food industry enterprises. Some may sell the product through their own retail outlets.

When purchasing a thickener from a wholesaler, study the circle of its regular customers. If these are well-known brands, then the likelihood of purchasing a low-quality product is low.

In online stores you should rely on reviews, and in retail outlets- find out which wholesaler the raw materials are purchased from and where they are packaged.

Composition and chemical properties

Guar gum is a plant polysaccharide.

This light powder is tasteless and odorless. Dissolving in water, it turns it into a viscous gel.

100 grams of product contains:

• proteins – 4.6 g;
• fat – 0.5 g;
• carbohydrates – 0 g.

The calorie content of 100 g of product is only 0.2 kcal.

The glycemic index is low.

Health effects

Once in the body, the supplement behaves like fiber, having a similar effect.. It practically does not dissolve in the intestines, but all the beneficial substances from it are successfully absorbed through the intestinal walls into the blood. Like fiber, it successfully removes harmful toxic substances from the body and fights slagging in the body.

Preparations for constipation have been created based on guar gum. Many dietary supplements developed for the prevention of atherosclerosis.

It is included in products that cleanse the body and remove fat deposits.

For men and women

The supplement can be used as a cleanser to combat constipation. Thanks to high content Soluble fiber can reduce serum cholesterol and be used as a means of preventing the development of early heart attacks and strokes.

For pregnant and lactating women

Pregnant and breastfeeding women, like everyone else, consume products containing the additive every day.

If it is possible to use natural products in the diet, this will have a positive effect on the health of mother and baby.

But there are no contraindications to the use of products and medicines containing guar gum.

For children

IN childhood consumption of products containing guarana is higher. After all, children love various jellies, yoghurts, and ice cream.

Although no cases of poisoning have been identified, you should beware of allergic reactions, limit consumption.

The product can be used as a mild laxative and cleanser for the body.

For the elderly

The use of dietary supplements for the prevention of atherosclerosis, containing the addition of guarana, may be useful in old age.

It is possible to use guarana to cleanse the body of toxins as a mild laxative.

For special categories

Research has shown that guar gum helps diabetics by slowing the absorption of sugars in the small intestine.

It is also used in sports nutrition and programs to cleanse the body of waste and toxins.

Contraindications

There are no special restrictions, but it should be used with caution in case of allergic reactions, which can manifest themselves in the form of wounds, ulcers, itching and diarrhea.

You should not combine products containing thickeners with medications and vitamins. Otherwise assimilation medicinal substances will be significantly difficult.

There are no restrictions or daily norm consumption of products that contain guar gum.

It has not been proven that its presence in food can harm health or have a harmful effect on the body.

This does not mean that guarana can be eaten in unlimited quantities. Excessive consumption may result in diarrhea and flatulence. Vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea are possible.

The additive included as a thickener in medicinal products is strictly dosed. By taking medications in strict accordance with the doctor's recommendations, it is easy to avoid trouble.

How to use in cooking

Product found in hundreds of prepared and semi-finished products on store shelves. But you can try to cook dishes with it yourself.

Many simple recipes can be easily reproduced in the home kitchen.

Ice cream

Thickened ice cream is easy to make at home. Here is the simplest ice cream recipe:

• add two tablespoons of sugar and a teaspoon of guar gum to 1 liter of milk;
• beat;
• after bubbles appear, pour into molds;
• put in freezer until completely frozen.

Here is another simple ice cream recipe using this substance:

Mayonnaise

Anyone who owns a blender can easily prepare this light mayonnaise. The cooking algorithm is as follows:

• mix 1.50 g of sunflower oil in a blender bowl, pour 3 g of guar gum into the mixture;
• beat with a blender until thick;
• add 150 ml of low-fat, 2 tablespoons of wine vinegar, 30 g of prepared, salt;
• You can add a little sugar, but you don’t have to;
• Beat again to obtain a homogeneous mass.

For weight control

Guar gum is included in weight loss products, but in many countries, primarily the United States, the use of dietary supplements with guar gum is prohibited due to repeated reports of cases of swelling of the intestines and esophagus.

Numerous studies and meta-analyses have shown that guar gum supplements are ineffective for weight loss.

Application in medicine

Guar gum is used as a filler in many medicines.

As an independent medicine, it has not found much use, although official medicine does not deny its effectiveness in relieving constipation, treating Crohn's disease.

In hospitals and nursing homes in the United States, the additive is used to thicken liquids and foods when feeding patients with dysphagia (a symptom of difficulty swallowing).

The guar-based compound is found in artificial tears for the treatment of dry eyes.

In cosmetology

The product is not in great demand among manufacturers of luxury cosmetics, but in the budget segment it has no equal. As a thickener, emulsifier, stabilizer, it is included in gels, creams, facial serums, body and hair care products.

The use of gum promotes:

• effective facial hydration;
• gentle cleaning of the epidermis;
• protecting the skin from wind, temperature changes, and ultraviolet radiation;
• restoring the structure of damaged hair, giving it shine.

The gum can also be used in home cosmetology. However, experts do not recommend doing this unless absolutely necessary.

High requirements for the quality of raw materials, the risk of side effects, and the cost of purchasing ingredients make it more preferable to go to the nearest pharmacy for ready-made products.

But if you have a desire and a lot of free time, then you can take a risk and prepare a couple of useful means.

Universal cream

It is suitable for all skin types. Relieves irritation, cleanses, brightens, regenerates.

You can prepare it like this:

1. Combine 1 g of guar gum with 120 ml of lavender hydrosol, leave until all solid particles dissolve.
2. In a fireproof bowl, mix 60 ml of peach kernel oil, 4 g of stearic acid, 16 g of emulsion wax. Heat the mixture in a water bath.
3. The combined mixtures are whipped using a mixer. The mixture of gum and hydrosol should be warm before combining.
4. You can add essential oil.

Gel

An affordable rosemary gel recipe for oily skin. The small number of its components provides simple but effective care. It is prepared like this:

1. Dissolve 0.2 g of guar gum in 15 ml of water. Beat. Leave the emulsifier to swell for 5-7 minutes. Beat again.
2. Add 1 drop of rosemary oil to 5 ml of oil hazelnut, mix.
3. Pour the oil mixture into the gum solution and beat with a mixer.
4. Pour into a clean jar. The gel can be stored in the refrigerator, but no more than a week.

We consume guar gum almost every day.

The food industry will never give up this cheap additive, and its amount in our diet will only increase.

I would like to believe that there is still a little more benefit from it, but no harm at all.

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