Uses of Guar Gum

Cluster beans

The guar bean or Cyamopsis tetragonoloba is also called cluster bean in India and parts of Indonesia where it's a native plant and grown commercially for export to the rest of the world. The bean has special properties that make it very useful as part of the human diet and also as an industrial ingredient. The gum is extracted from the heart or the endosperm of the bean. Chemically, the gum is a complex carbohydrate that produces a viscous gel when mixed with water. As a thickening agent, it is eight times more effective than cornstarch. It mixes easily with cold water, making it very useful for applications that don't involve heating. Guar gum prevents droplets of oil from coalescing, so it is widely used as an emulsifier or stabilizer. Guar gum is also a very healthy dietary addition because it's a soluble fiber.

Medicinal Uses

Guar gum is a healthy, soluble fiber which may help lower cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. As part of the diet, soluble fiber binds water in the digestive tract to form a gel. The gel lowers absorption of cholesterol in food passing through the intestines, and also helps keep the digestive tract regulated and prevents constipation. When added to a meal, guar gum provides a feeling of fullness and may help with a weight-reduction plan. Consult a doctor before adding guar gum as a regular dietary component.

Commercial Additive

Guar gum is a common commercial ingredient because of its ability to form a thick, stable gel. In the pharmaceutical industry, it's used to stabilize liquid medicines and as a binder in pills. It also provides the gel component for some topical medicines and for patches applied to the skin. The cosmetics industry uses guar gum in toothpaste, creams and lipstick to produce a smooth, consistent product. Guar gum is also important in the commercial food industry, where it helps keep many products such as dressings, sauces and semi-liquid products smooth and stable.

Industrial Uses

Guar gum has important uses in non-food industries. It acts as a surface-finishing agent in the textile industry, where it adds a smooth, occasionally shiny surface to fabric. Guar gum is an ingredient in paper pulp to give paper products a dense surface suitable for printing. It's also used in the explosives industry where it acts as a hydrating agent and emulsifier.