Do you know there are 66 type of food fillers used as thickening agents companies use? Let's talk about why!

Most food and drink's we consume are full of artificial ingredients, 'natural flavor' chemicals and 'all natural' thickening agents, whether you are aware of it or not, they exists.  

Companies have noticed that more consumers are becoming aware of nutritional fact labels, but that doesn't stop them from adding unknown artificial ingredients in our food and drinks. 

By law, any food or beverage company MUST LIST every ingredient they use to manufacture an edible product. Yet, the FDA allow's companies to mask the additives and fillers in products by using colorful terms like 'natural flavors' or using natural fillers like guar gum, xanthan gum, gellan gum, cellulose, and carrageenan, just to name a few.

Do you check nutritional fact labels?

Even if you do, it may still be confusing to understand long named chemical, and thickening agents. Most of the time, we disregard them because it claims to be all natural, or organic. Therefore we tend to trust these companies regardless whether these ingredients may even be harmful. The FDA strictly regulates production of food and beverages, though they approve artificial ingredients, chemicals and fillers.

Main reason why companies may use artificial ingredients, and natural fillers:

• Preservative, to give food and drinks longer shelf Life.
• Add color, and flavor characteristics to enhance taste and presentation
• Sweeteners to enhance flavor or mask fillers and chemicals
• Save money on production, natural ingredients can be expensive

What are artificial flavors?

When food is processed, it loses its natural flavor, and when it sits on a store shelf for weeks, its natural chemicals begin to deteriorate, reducing its shelf life. Artificial flavors are additives designed to mimic the taste of natural ingredients. They are a cheap way for manufacturers to make something taste like cherries, for example, without actually using any real cherries. Artificial flavors can be tricky because food companies aren’t required to be more specific than the phrase “artificial flavors.”  So, if you see it listed on a package, you won’t know if it’s one additive or a whole variety of them. For this reason, in an ideal world, it’s best to skip them altogether. Artificial flavors can be found in many drinks (including fruit juice “blends”), flavored yogurt, salad dressings, candy, gum, baked goods snack foods and more. Click here to read more on 'The Top 10 Artificial Ingredients to Avoid".

Why do supplements, and vitamins have these toxic fillers?

Not all supplements are created equal. While you may be consuming your daily dose of vitamins and minerals, the quality and brand of your supplements make all the difference. On many occasions, toxic chemicals and unnecessary ingredients make it to these vitamin and mineral bottles that may you be unknowingly taking.

Of course, some manufacturers present a sound reason for including these so-called additives: to preserve formulas, improve color and taste, or make supplements appear better. These colorants, fillers, or flavors, however, may affect your body’s health especially if ingested regularly. What’s more, there are supplements that do not contain these ingredients, allowing you a better choice when it comes to vitamins and minerals. Click here to read more about '6 Toxic Ingredients You Probably Didn't Know Your Vitamin Has.'

Let's talk about natural filler's most commonly found in supplements. What are they, what are their side effects?

Guar Gum

Guar gum is a fiber from the seed of the guar plant. It is popularly used in supplements for weight loss because it expands in the intestine, causing a sense of fullness. This may decrease appetite, though there is no evidence it actually decrease's obesity or contributes to weight loss. 

Side effects include increased gas production, diarrhea, and loose stools. These side effects usually decrease or disappear after several days of use. High doses of guar gum or not drinking enough fluid with the dose of guar gum can cause blockage of the esophagus and the intestines, especially when consuming daily. Click here to read more about 'Guar Gum' on WebMd.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is a substance used in making some foods and medications. It has different effects in these products: It can add thickness, keep textures from changing, and hold ingredients in place.

Xanthan gum is found in many types of medicines and foods. Xanthan gum is produced by fermenting a carbohydrate (a substance that contains sugar) with Xanthomonas campestris bacteria, then processing it. 

Gellan Gum

Gellan gum is an additive used to bind, stabilize, or texturize foods. While naturally occurring, it’s also produced commercially via bacterial fermentation. 

Few studies have tested gellan gum’s benefits, though it may reduce your likelihood of constipation. While some people claim that it promotes weight loss and reduces appetite, blood sugar, and cholesterol, further research is needed. Gellan gum is considered a safe food additive, though it may slow your digestion. Click here to read more about 'Gellan Gum' on Healthline.

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks. It’s a natural ingredient that comes from red seaweed (also called Irish moss). Since the late 1960s, there’s been controversy surrounding the health effects of carrageenan. Some evidence suggests that carrageenan triggers inflammation, gastrointestinal ulcerations, and that it damages your digestive system. People have been petitioning for products with carrageenan to be labeled with a warning or removed entirely.

Products with carrageenan may be labeled as “natural,” but limited studies show that carrageenan may promote or cause:

• inflammation
• bloating
• irritable bowel syndrome
• glucose intolerance
• colon cancer
• food allergies

Increased inflammation can lead to a greater likelihood of other diseases, such as:

• inflammatory bowel disease
• arthritis
• tendonitis
• chronic cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation

Click here to read more about 'Carrageenan' on Healthline.

Cellulose Gum

Cellulose gum is essentially a thickening agent used in all kinds of food products. Many diet and low-fat products will use food additives like cellulose gum to give the food a thicker and creamier consistency, making it that much more appealing to consumers.

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), this type of additive can improve texture, stabilize foam, keep sugar from crystallizing, bind water, and more. For these reasons, cellulose gum is used frequently in all kinds of foods. Click here to read more about 'Cellulose Gum' on Healthline.

Knowledge is power.

The more you read labels on food products — especially the nutrition facts table and ingredient list — the better equipped you’ll be to identify just how many food additives you’re consuming. From there, you can make an informed decision about any food changes you want to make to have healthier habits.Ultimately, remember that whole foods are always ideal!

Lastly, Why Skinni Bean Takes Pride in Our Products!

Skinni Bean use's all natural ingredients, Non-GMO, Organic, NO preservatives, NO Artificial Ingredients, NO 'natural flavors', NO chemicals, and lastly, NO Fillers!

We list ALL ingredients we use in ALL of our products! From ALL NATURAL, REAL FLAVOR, and whole flower infusions of REAL flowers! We strive to give our consumers simply the BEST,  PURE and HIGHEST QUALITY ingredients. With a taste you can FEEL THE DIFFERENCE! We manufacture all our products locally in Santa Ana, CA with a reputable, and highly respected manufacturer, that adhere's to all FDA regulations, and are an FDA approved manufacturer!

From our one of kind, Keto Brew instant coffee to our Magical Midnight Sleep Tea you can expect to fully trust that you are consuming a high quality, nutritional, product that comes packed with TONS of health benefits. We fully believe in our products, and know that they al our ingredients are known to promote and support your healthy Lifestyle!