Gellan gum, a food additive often used in processed foods as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener, has piqued the curiosity of many health-conscious individuals. It is derive from a bacterial fermentation process and is widely accepting in the food industry for its ability to modify the texture and viscosity of food products. Despite its frequent use, many are left wondering: How many calories does gellan gum contain, and is it something to be concerned about from a nutritional standpoint? This article delves into the calorie content of gellan gum, explores its uses, and discusses its broader nutritional impact.
What Is Gellan Gum?
Gellan gum is a polysaccharide (a complex carbohydrate) produce by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea. It was first discovered in the 1970s and has since become a popular food additive. As a result of its excellent gelling properties, gellans gum can form firm gels even at low concentrations, which makes it valuable for products like plant-based milk, desserts, jams, and various processed foods. It’s especially notable for being a vegan alternative to gelatin, which is animal-derived.
There are two main forms of gellans gum: high-acyl and low-acyl. The high-acyl form creates softer, more elastic gels, while the low-acyl variant produces firm, brittle gels. The choice between the two depends on the texture that the food manufacturer desires.
Calorie Content Of Gellan Gum
When it comes to calories, gellan gum contributes a negligible amount. Gellan gum is consider to have almost zero caloric content. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies gellan gum as a non-digestible carbohydrate, meaning it passes through the human digestive system largely unabsorbed. As a result, the body does not metabolize gellan gum for energy, so it provides little to no calories.
A rough estimate would suggest that 1 gram of gellan gum contains fewer than 1 calorie. Since it is typically used in food in extremely small quantities — often just fractions of a gram — its contribution to the overall calorie content of a food product is virtually insignificant.
Why Is Gellan Gum Used In Food?
Although its calorie contribution is minimal, gellan gum plays a crucial role in the food industry. The main reasons manufacturers include it in food products include:
- Gelling Agent: Gellan gum’s ability to form a gel is one of its primary uses. It can create a wide variety of textures, from soft to firm gels, depending on the concentration and the presence of other ingredients. For example, it’s using in plant-based milk products to maintain a smooth consistency by preventing the separation of water and solids.
- Stabilizer and Thickener: Gellan gum helps stabilize emulsions, which are mixtures of oil and water that usually don’t blend well together. This property is particularly valuable in sauces, dressings, and beverages, ensuring a uniform consistency.
- Suspension Agent: Gelzan gum is also using in beverages to suspend solid particles, which is useful in products like fruit juices with pulp or drinks containing added vitamins and minerals. This helps improve the aesthetic and sensory experience for the consumer.
- Heat Stability: Gellan gum is stable at high temperatures, making it an ideal additive for processed foods that undergo cooking or pasteurization.
- Versatility in Special Diets: Since it is a plant-based and vegan-friendly ingredient, gellan gum is commonly used in products designing for vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-free diets. Additionally, it is gluten-free and often appears in gluten-free food products.
Gellan Gum And Human Health
Given that Gelzan gum contains virtually no calories, it’s easy to assume it is a benign addition to one’s diet. However, like many food additives, its health impact goes beyond just calorie content. Let’s explore its safety and how it interacts with the human body.
Is Gellan Gum Safe to Consume?
According to regulatory authorities such as the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), gellan gum is generally recognizing as safe (GRAS) for use in food. Numerous studies have found no significant adverse effects associated with its consumption when used in typical amounts found in food.
Gelzan gum is non-toxic and non-allergenic, making it a safe choice for most people. It has been testing for potential effects on reproduction, growth, and the immune system, with no concerning findings. In its current approved uses, it does not appear to pose any significant health risks to the general population.
Potential Side Effects
While this gum is safe for most individuals, it may cause minor gastrointestinal discomfort in some people, especially if consumed in large quantities. As a non-digestible carbohydrate, it can function similarly to dietary fibre in the digestive system. This means that, in rare cases, some individuals may experience gas, bloating, or mild diarrhoea after consuming foods with gum. However, such reactions are uncommon, as the amounts of gellan gum typically used in foods are very small.
Benefits of Gellan Gum
Interestingly, because gellan gum behaves like fibre in the digestive system, it might offer some of the benefits associated with dietary fibre, such as promoting regular bowel movements and supporting a healthy gut microbiome. However, these effects are likely to be minimal due to the low amounts consumed in the average diet.
Comparison With Other Food Additives
Gelzan gum often gets compare to other similar food additives like xanthan gum, agar-agar, and carrageenan, which are also used as thickeners and stabilizers in processing foods. One of the key distinctions between gellan gum and these alternatives is its calorie content. For example, while carrageenan and xanthan gum also provide negligible calories, some other thickeners and stabilizers might contribute slightly more energy.
Another advantage of Gelzan gum is its ability to produce a variety of textures, making it more versatile than some of its counterparts. Its high stability at different pH levels and temperatures also makes it more desirable in certain food formulations, particularly in shelf-stable products.
Gellan Gum’s Role In Low-Calorie And Diet Foods
Because of its low caloric content and ability to improve food texture, Gelzan gum is a popular additive in diet and low-calorie foods. It can help create a more satisfying mouthfeel in products like reduced-fat ice cream or low-calorie desserts without adding any significant energy. Its use in plant-based beverages like almond milk, soy milk, and coconut milk is also widespread, contributing to its creamy texture without any added fat or calories.