What is/benefit of xanthan gum?

[SaraE]

I understand that xanthan gum is used quite often in gluten free items, but what is it? It is beneficial or nutritional? Is it absolutely necessary or just an additive? It doesn't sound like something found in nature, but it sounds pretty accepted in the healthy living gluten-free world (I being just an beginning experimenter in that world).

[MiraD]

Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide (sugar) that is fermented.  My understanding is that it is mostly made from corn.  It is used as a natural thickener or emulsifier.  In gluten free baking xanthan gum is important because it makes up for the lack of gluten "stretchiness" and to help hold things together. 

One odd use of xanthan gum, well, odd to me, is in ice cream where it apparently helps to prevent the formation of ice crystals. 

It's also sometimes used in cosmetics to help keep creamy formulations from separation, in other words as an emulsifier.

[AngelaS]

Technically Xanthan Gum is a highly complex carbohydrate, but so little is used in recipes that it has no nutritional effect: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanthan_gum

Guar Gum & locust bean gum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactomannan also have similar properties.

These are refined products, but do not have any notable negatives. They may actually be good for keeping one's gut healthy.

[SaraE]

In my continuous search, I also found this blog entry in layman terms of what xanthan gum does, especially in baking. Found that helpful as well, and thanks for both of your replies!

http://noglutennoproblem.blogspot.com/2008/10/xanthan-gum-demystified.html

[Jackie Chatman]

Interesting...thanks for sharing!!!