Gums are used in foods primarily as thickeners and
gelling agents as a result of their ability to alter the rheological
properties of the solvent in which they are dissolved.
The change in viscosity occurs as a result of
the high molecular weight polymeric nature of the gums
and the interactions between polymer chains when gums
are dissolved or dispersed. These properties have been
exploited for their functionality in food systems including
textural attributes and mouthfeel.