Is thickener bad for health?

Thickeners used in food are generally used in small amounts and are widely used in packaged foods. As with most food substances, very large amounts over time may cause digestive discomfort in some people.

What is thickener made from?

It can be made from plant starches, seeds, roots, seaweed or from sugars fermented by bacteria, depending on the specific thickener used.

Does thickener have any nutrition value?

It contributes very little in the way of calories or nutrients, though some types count as a small source of dietary fibre.

Why is thickener added to food instead of just using flour?

Many thickeners work in much smaller amounts than flour, do not change the taste of food, and can give a smoother or more stable texture that lasts longer on the shelf.

Can thickener cause an allergic reaction?

Some specific thickeners, like certain plant based gums, have been linked to reactions in people who are sensitive to them, though this is uncommon.

Thickener

thickener

Thickener is a general term for substances added to packaged foods to make them thicker, smoother or more gel like. Most come from plants, seaweed or starch and are used in small amounts.

Not a declarable allergen

This is not on India’s mandatory declaration list. It may still matter to you, and you can add it to your own avoid list.

What it is

Thickener is a broad name used on labels for many different ingredients that give food a thicker texture. These can come from plant sources like starch, seeds and roots, from seaweed, or from fermentation of sugars by bacteria. On Indian labels, you may see it written as "stabilizer and thickener" or "thickening agent" followed by a number or name, since several different substances can be grouped under this one term.

Nutrition

Thickeners are mostly made of carbohydrate in the form of starch or fibre. They are used in such small amounts that they add very little in terms of calories, vitamins or minerals. Some types count as dietary fibre and can add a small amount of fibre to the food.

How it can affect health

Can affect: In the small amounts used in packaged food, thickeners are generally well tolerated. Eating very large amounts of certain thickeners may cause bloating, gas or a laxative effect in some people, since some types behave like fibre in the gut.

May contribute to:

Bloating or gas with large intake
Loose motions with large intake of some types

Who should limit it

People with a known allergy or sensitivity to a specific thickener, such as certain plant gums, may want to check the exact name used on the label. People with digestive conditions that are sensitive to fibre or fermentable carbohydrates may notice effects from large amounts.

Where it is found

Thickeners are commonly used in sauces, soups, dairy products like yogurt and ice cream, ketchups, gravies, baked goods and packaged desserts. They help give food a smooth, thick or creamy texture and help ingredients stay mixed together instead of separating.

Also written as

A different word for the same thing

stabilizer and thickeneren
thickening agenten

Names in other languages

English: Thickener
हिन्दी: थिकनर
मराठी: थिकनर
বাংলা: থিকেনার
தமிழ்: திக்கனர்
తెలుగు: థికెనర్ (Thickener)
ಕನ್ನಡ: ಥಿಕ್ನರ್ (Thickener)

Products on Laddoo that list it

In alphabetical order.

Matched against each printed ingredient list. A pack not listed here may still contain it under a name we have not matched: check its label.

Questions people ask

Is thickener bad for health?: Thickeners used in food are generally used in small amounts and are widely used in packaged foods. As with most food substances, very large amounts over time may cause digestive discomfort in some people.
What is thickener made from?: It can be made from plant starches, seeds, roots, seaweed or from sugars fermented by bacteria, depending on the specific thickener used.
Does thickener have any nutrition value?: It contributes very little in the way of calories or nutrients, though some types count as a small source of dietary fibre.
Why is thickener added to food instead of just using flour?: Many thickeners work in much smaller amounts than flour, do not change the taste of food, and can give a smoother or more stable texture that lasts longer on the shelf.
Can thickener cause an allergic reaction?: Some specific thickeners, like certain plant based gums, have been linked to reactions in people who are sensitive to them, though this is uncommon.