The muscular walls of your intestines contract to push food through your body. (bbc.co.uk)
In 2013, several infants who consumed a baby formula with xanthan gum tragically passed away after developing necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease where the wall of the intestine is invaded by bacteria, causing infection and inflammation that can ultimately lead to death in infants. (purefoodcompany.com)
Without this protection, inflammation can develop and the wall of the intestine can become «leaky.» (babycenter.com)