What is Guar Gum Powder?

Guar gum is also known as guaran. It is a natural fiber obtained from Cyamopsistetragonolobus plant, popularly known as the Guar plant. Guar gum is made from legumes called guar beans. At first, the husks are removed from the guar seeds. This plant is abundantly found in many Asian countries and in several places in the United States of America. Then the shells are milled and reduced into a fine powder which is known as guar gum powder. It is used in many food and beverage preparations because of its thickening, binding, stabilizing and suspending properties. It is also used as a laxative and used for treating various diseases. Due to its surfactant quality it is used in making soaps and shampoos. It is also used in other cosmetic formulations, medications, animal feed, water purification, making incense sticks, textiles and paper products.

Medical Benefits of Guar Gum Powder-

Guar gum powder has numerous medical benefits. Let us have a look at some of these benefits.

Relieving Constipation- Guar gum powder can relieve constipation by speeding up movement through the intestinal tract.It reduces abdominal pain and improves the quality of life in patients. It helps to cure constipation problems when consumed with liquid because of its property of expanding. It acts as a laxative and relieves chronic constipation.

Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome- Water soluble non-gelling properties are required for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum can help in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome due to its water solubility and non-gelling behavior. It adds bulk to the stools which helps in curing bowel problems thereby improving bowel movement frequency.

Curing Diarrhea- Stomach related problems such as diarrhea can be effectively cured by guar gum powder. It is a fiber that controls the moisture content of the stool and absorbs excess liquid in diarrhea. Guar gum powder is used as a natural remedy to cure diarrhea and soothes stomach pain. It is beneficial for intestinal health. Adding guar gum powder to tube feeding formula of patients can significantly cure diarrhea.

Lowering Cholesterol- Consuming guar gum can help in lowering cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol because it contains abundant soluble fibers. It reduces cholesterol absorption from your small intestine. Supplementing your diet with guar gum can help you to lower your cholesterol level significantly. The binding property of guar gum powder helps in controlling cholesterol levels in the body.

Preventing Diabetes and managing Blood Sugar Level- Guar gum is a type of soluble fiber that can slow the absorption of sugar from the intestine and therefore maintain the blood sugar levels in the human body. Diabetes patients are advised to consume guar gum powder. It can enhance the production of insulin in the body which is responsible for reducing blood sugar levels which in turn prevents diabetes.

Improve Digestive Health- Being rich in fiber guar gum can maintain the health of your digestive system. It can help in significantly decreasing concentrations of harmful bacteria in their digestive tracts. It can help in promoting the growth of good bacteria and reducing the growth of harmful bacteria in the digestive tracts. People with digestive problems are advised to consume guar gum powder.

Helps in Weight Loss- Consuming food that contains guar gum reduces appetite, gives a feeling of fullnessand increases satiety thereby helping us to reduce the overall calorie intake. Fiber moves through the body undigested. It prevents the absorption of fat from the dietary food in the human body. Therefore, it helps in overall weight loss.