Label Able: Guar Gum
I wasn't exactly wowed by Morningstar Farms Chik Patties and was particularly turned off by the long list of ingredients, which included guar gum.
I have seen this particular ingredient listed on labels before, and although I am fairly certain that guar isn't as scary as the band GWAR, my curiosity was piqued. I did a bit of research on the substance, and to see what I found just read more.
The mysterious ingredient, guar gum, is a fiber from the seeds of the Cyanopsis tetragonoloba bean. It's added to foods to act as a swelling or gelling agent. It's also used as a thickener, and compared to corn starch it has eight times the thickening power. You'll find guar gum in baked goods, dairy products, meat, dressings, sauces, and other processed foods.
It is generally recognized as safe in the US, and since guar gum is a soluble fiber, it can actually be helpful in relieving constipation. Some studies show that it could also help lower cholesterol. In the '80s, guar gum was used and heavily promoted in many weight-loss products, but large amounts may cause esophageal blockage or GI obstruction. As a result, it's no longer approved for over-the-counter weight-loss aids in the US. It's not recommended to have more than 15 grams of guar gum a day. So check your food labels. It sounds like guar gum is OK in moderation, but you don't want to be consuming a ton of foods that contain it.
