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.

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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

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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