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GUM

Xanthan

What it is

A texture patch. One gum is a recipe choice; three gums is a product impersonating a food it doesn't contain.

Why your biology objects

Mostly soluble fibers that thicken water — generally benign, and some (guar, acacia) even feed gut bacteria. The flag is the count: stacked gums are how a watery base is engineered to feel like cream or fat that isn't there.

Would your ancestors eat this?

Point your camera at any label and get the verdict in seconds. Coming to the App Store.

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