Acesulfame potassium is a zero-calorie sweetener that is added to many sugar-free…
Tamarind Seed Gum
Tamarind Seed Gum
Tamarind Seed Gum
What is it:
Tamarind seed gum, also known as tamarind seed polysaccharide or tamarind gum, is a natural thickening agent and stabilizer derived from the seeds of the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica). To produce it, the seeds are extracted from ripe tamarind pods and ground into a fine powder. The powder is then treated with hot water to separate the gum from other components. After filtration and drying, the resulting tamarind seed gum is soluble in water and used in the food industry to thicken, stabilize, and emulsify various products such as sauces, dressings, and confectionery items. It is also commonly seen in cosmetic applications.
Rating:
Both the tamarind fruit and its seeds have been studied for various health effects, including being anti-inflammatory, reducing oxidative stress, and potentially improving gut health. Tamarind seed gum is minimally processed without the use of harsh chemicals. Studies on rats have suggested that there are no toxic effects from high levels of daily consumption of tamarind seed gum. It has been approved for use in organic food production and may be a health-promoting alternative to other thickeners and gums on the market.
Resources:
- Anti-inflammatory effects of tamarind components (review)
- Tamarind seed extract reduces inflammation in arthritis rat model (animal in vivo study)
- Tamarind seed extract mitigates the liver oxidative stress in arthritic rats (animal study)
- Tamarind seed polysaccharide may modulate gut microbiome positively (in vitro study)
- Remedial qualities of tamarind seeds (textbook)
- Evaluation and characterization of tamarind gum polysaccharide
- Emulsifying properties of tamarind seed gum
- No toxic effect found of tamarind seed polysaccharide in rats over 28 days (animal study)
- Tamarind seed gum approved for organic use
How we rate ingredients
Health is like a bank account, certain ingredients make a deposit into your health bank, meaning they add to
your health. Certain ingredients withdraw from your health bank. We want health promoting ingredients in our diet. To keep things simple, we rate ingredients on a green, yellow, red scale:
Clean
It is naturally occurring in food and has no harmful effects on the body. It is real food. It is health promoting.
Caution
It goes into one or more of the below categories
- It is not naturally occurring in food but doesn’t have data showing it has a harmful effect on the body (additives like Gellan Gum)
- It is naturally occurring but can have some harmful effects on the body (added sugars, oils, gums etc.)
We Avoid
It is known to have a harmful effect on the body (ex. All food colorings, Natural Flavors, MSG, Potassium bromate, aspartame, artificial flavors)
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