Shear stress synergism index and relative thixotropic area are introdu
ced as quantifiers of viscous synergism and comparative thixotropy. Th
e utility of these terms is demonstrated by their application to micro
crystalline cellulose-sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (MCC-NaCMC) hydro
gel, a starch of different botanical origins hydrogels and their combi
nations.