| Essence |
Guaiac Gum or E314 is a natural antioxidant produced from the tree species Guaiacum officinale or Guaiacwood. While being an antioxidant is not considered its most prominent application, it can still be used as one due to having phenolic compounds in it. |
| Names |
Gum Guaiacum, Guaiac Resin, Resin of Guaiacum Officinale, Lignum Vitae Resin, E314, Guaiac Gum, and others. |
| Sourcing |
It is extracted from Guaiacum officinale or Guaiacwood. |
| Manufacturing |
This additive is basically created in five steps. It’s collected (by making incisions in the bark to gather the exudate), filtered (this exudate is filtered to remove impurities), sedimented (it is allowed to sit for a bit to further filter it), centrifugated (to further filter out any remaining impurities), and dried (to remove any remaining moisture by air or spray drying). |
| Application |
Antioxidant (natural, water-soluble) and preservative. |
| Acceptable Daily Intake |
Not evaluated. The substance is not approved for use in the EU. |
| Side Effects |
Gastrointestinal discomfort (bloating, gas, diarrhea, etc.) can (but not necessarily) happen if consumed in high amounts. |
| Benefits |
It is basically a form of dietary fiber. Hence, it could offer the typical dietary-fiber-related benefits to the table. |
| Studies |
Less than 10 studies on Pubmed. No studies on safety. |
| Allergens |
None. |
| Diet Restrictions |
None. |
| Health Knight Assessment |
Quite Unknown But Potentially Harmless. | Category 2 Additive. |
| Products |
In theory, Guaiac Gum (E314) can be found in pastries, bread, sausages, deli meats, ice creams, soups, sauces, protein bars, baby foods, marshmallows, candy, canned fruits, canned vegetables, salad dressings, cheese, instant coffee, breakfast cereals, plant-based meat substitutes, and more. |
