Locust Bean Gum vs Neotame: which is worse?

What is Locust Bean Gum?

Locust bean gum (LBG) is a galactomannan polysaccharide extracted from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), native to the Mediterranean. It is a fine white to yellow powder that forms a thick gel when dissolved in hot water. It synergizes strongly with xanthan gum and carrageenan to enhance gel strength.

What is Neotame?

Neotame is a synthetic dipeptide sweetener — a derivative of aspartame with a 3,3-dimethylbutyl group added to block aspartame's metabolism, preventing the release of phenylalanine. This means it is safe for people with phenylketonuria (PKU), unlike aspartame. It is approximately 7,000-13,000 times sweeter than sucrose.

Documented risks

Locust Bean Gum: Generally recognized as safe. EFSA's Panel on Food Additives confirmed the safety of LBG in 2017, noting no concerns at current dietary exposures. It functions as a soluble dietary fiber and can have mild prebiotic effects. No significant adverse effects have been documented in human or animal studies at food-relevant doses.

Neotame: Neotame is one of the newer synthetic sweeteners with a shorter safety track record. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that neotame damaged intestinal epithelial cells in vitro and disrupted the gut microbiome in mice — including reducing beneficial bacteria and increasing bacterial invasion of intestinal cells. The study observed effects at concentrations that could be achievable through high consumption of neotame-containing products. The FDA has set an ADI of 0.3 mg/kg/day, one of the lower sweetener ADIs, reflecting a conservative safety margin. Limited long-term human safety data exist compared to aspartame, acesulfame K, or saccharin, which have been used for decades. EFSA's 2010 opinion found no safety concern at permitted levels. The Frontiers in Nutrition 2023 gut study represents new concerning findings that warrant further investigation.