It’s a common food additive that’s also used in medicines. It can thicken ingredients and keep them stable. Some stores sell xanthan gum in the baking section.
Xanthan gum is made by fermenting a carbohydrate with Xanthomonas campestris bacteria, then processing it.
There is little research on the health benefits of xanthan gum. Some people take it for constipation. It’s also mixed with gluten-free flour for baked goods for people who avoid gluten or have celiac disease. It should not be given to infants.