The thickening mechanism of cellulose thickeners involves the association of the hydrophobic backbone of cellulose molecules with surrounding water molecules through hydrogen bonds. This association leads to an increase in the volume of the polymer itself, creating a denser environment that restricts the free movement of particles. As a result, the viscosity of the system is enhanced. Another way cellulose thickeners increase viscosity is by winding their molecular chains. This phenomenon is characterized by high viscosity under static or low shear conditions, and low viscosity under high shear conditions. When the cellulose molecular chains are in a disordered state at static or low shear speeds, the system exhibits high viscosity. However, at high shear speeds, the molecular chains align parallel to the flow direction, facilitating their sliding past each other and hence reducing the viscosity of the system.