Maltodextrin

What is Maltodextrin?

How does Maltodextrin affects your body, health & fitness?

Maltodextrin is a substance that you will find in certain food products. Generally, when you buy a food product, you may notice the ingredients label. It is important to review the ingredients before you buy a food product. If you see a product that has maltodextrin in it, then it is an issue of concern. So, is maltodextrin good for you or bad?

What is Maltodextrin?

Maltodextrin is an additive that is added to food products to improve its flavour or shelf life. It is a white and starchy powder. It is a polysaccharide available in the form of a powder. It is made from corn, rice, potato starch, or wheat. It is a processed product that is made after addition of enzymes. 

Why is it used?

Maltodextrin is used to thicken foods. This ensures the processed food has a higher volume. It also helps to increase the life of the product. Since it is not very expensive, it is very commonly used in most packaged food products. A popular use of maltodextrin is to sweeten food products. This is done by combining it with an artificial sweetener. It is found in canned fruits and desserts. 

Is it safe?

The key question is whether maltodextrin is safe. If you find a food product that has maltodextrin in it, what should you do? To understand this, you need to know more about this ingredient.

• 1 gram of Maltrodextrin has 4 calories. This is the same as in other sugars. It digests quickly so you can get a quick boost of energy. Maltodextrin has a higher glycemic index as compared to sugar. The result is that it can lead to increase in blood sugar levels.
• The FDA has approved the use of Maltodextrin as a food additive. 
• Maltodextrin is usually present in low quantities in most food products. 
• If you are diabetic or are concerned about your blood sugar level, then you should either avoid maltodextrin or consume foods having it in low quantities. Excess maltodextrin can cause blood sugar spikes, which can be a problem for diabetics.
• A study showed that maltodextrin can affect the gut flora or the bacteria present in the gut. This can affect the digestive processes and can even lead to reduced immunity. Some studies showed that E. coli growth may increase due to the consumption of Maltodextrin. In case, you have digestive problems then it is best that you avoid Maltodextrin.
• If you are gluten-intolerant, you should avoid Maltodextrin since it is gluten-free. Maltodextrin is also made from wheat. In such a case, it is gluten-free and can be safely consumed.

Eating food products with Maltodextrin is safe. It needs to be consumed in moderation and should be avoided by diabetics and people with digestion problems.

What is Maltodextrin and is it Safe? with Dr.Berg