What is guar gum & why do you use it in your Soups?Updated 2 years ago

You may have seen guar gum listed as an ingredient in some of our Soups. Guar gum is derived from the guar bean, also known as the Indian cluster bean. Guar beans look similar to green beans and are a common vegetable in India.

The gum made out of these beans is used as a thickening agent in packaged foods instead of wheat or dairy. Guar gum can be commonly found in canned coconut milk.

We use guar gum in our Soups to give them a thick creamy texture while keeping them gluten-free and dairy-free.

The amount of guar gum in our Soups is very low and most people will be able to consume it without any issues.

However, if you have been diagnosed with digestive issues like SIBO or IBS, you may want to try removing guar gum from your diet completely to see if your symptoms improve. Check labels for guar gum (sometimes called gellan gum) and try switching to our Miso Soup or any of our Bone Broths, which are free of guar gum.

Other important considerations are that some people with soy allergies are also allergic to guar gum. Also, consuming guar gum in extremely large doses (over 21 grams per day) may cause side-effects including abdominal discomfort, gas and bloating; gastrointestinal obstruction, a narrowing of the intestine or esophagus; low blood pressure; low blood sugar; and pulmonary embolism. So avoid foods and supplements that have high levels of guar gum.

About the Author: Carrie Bonfitto is a board-certified holistic nutritionist, wellness educator and culinary instructor in the Los Angeles area. Through her private practice, Two Hearts Nutrition, she turns up the heat on healthy eating, transforming it into delicious and practical food therapy. Having spent years getting bounced from doctor to doctor before taking her health into her own hands, Carrie is dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic conditions regain their vitality.