What is maltodextrin?
Maltodextrin is a white, relatively tasteless starchy powder that manufacturers add to many foods to improve flavor, concentration and shelf life.
Maltodextrin is a food additive and a common ingredient in packaged foods such as sweets, candies and non-alcoholic beverages. When present in food, it is usually listed on the food label. Athletes may also use maltodextrin as a carbohydrate supplement.
What does the word maltodextrin mean?
Maltodextrin means each of the various carbohydrates resulting from the relative hydrolysis of starch (as corn or potatoes)
How to produce
Maltodextrin can be made from any starchy food, including corn, potatoes, wheat, tapioca or rice. Although the powder from these products is natural, it is then processed.
To produce maltodextrin, manufacturers hydrolyze the starch. Hydrolysis uses water, enzymes, and acids to break down starch into smaller pieces, resulting in a white powder made up of sugar molecules.
History
Maltodextrin were introduced between 1973 and 1967. But the official introduction of Maltodextrins and major developments in the high-fructose syrup industry occurred in the 1970s.
Why is maltodextrin used?
Because maltodextrin is safe, inexpensive, and highly water-soluble, it is used as a food additive in a variety of products, from milk powder to ice cream to salad dressings and from peanut butter to beer. It is a supplement to sweeteners such as sucralose and stevia.
In food products, this powder can help with the following:
- Concentrate foods or liquids to help connect materials
- Improve food texture or flavor
- Help preserve food and increase its shelf life
- Replacing sugar or fat in low-calorie and processed foods
Maltodextrin has no nutritional value. However, carbohydrates are very easy to digest and can provide energy quickly. For this reason, manufacturers add this powder to many sports drinks and snacks.
Which foods contain maltodextrin?
Some salad dressings may contain maltodextrin. Many people take maltodextrin every day without realizing it. Foods that often contain maltodextrin include:
- Pasta, cooked cereals and rice
- Meat substitutes
- Cooked goods
- Salad dressing
- Frozen meals
- Soup
- Sugars and sweets
- Energy and sports drinks
- Protein powders
- Frozen desserts
- Instant puddings
- Food condiments
- Some manufacturers add maltodextrin to lotions, hair care products and animal feed.
Is maltodextrin safe?
According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), maltodextrin is a GRAS food additive and is generally considered safe.
However, if a person over-consumes products containing maltodextrin, his or her diet is likely to be high in sugar, low in fiber, and full of well-processed foods. This type of diet can increase a person’s risk of developing high cholesterol, weight gain and type 2 diabetes.
Maltodextrin is not as good a sweetener as sucrose (regular sugar), but it has as many calories as sugar. Obese people and diabetics should pay attention to foods that contain maltodextrin.
Research has also linked high maltodextrin intake to potential health risks. These risks include the following:
- Maltodextrin and diabetes
Maltodextrin glycemic index is even higher than table sugar. This means that maltodextrin can cause a sudden rise in blood sugar shortly after eating foods containing it. High blood sugar can be especially dangerous for people with diabetes or insulin resistance.
High GI means that the sugars in these foods enter the bloodstream quickly, where the body absorbs them. In contrast, complex carbohydrates, which include whole wheat beans and pasta, are healthier because the body absorbs them more slowly. This makes people feel full for a longer period of time.
- Affects intestinal bacteria
Evidence suggests that maltodextrin may affect the balance of intestinal bacteria that play an important role in human health. Although human studies are needed to confirm this, early research in mice has shown that people who consume large amounts of maltodextrin may reduce the number of good bacteria and the amount of harmful bacteria. This can potentially lead to intestinal damage and a higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease.
- Allergies or intolerances
Many food additives can cause allergies or intolerances. Side effects may include allergic reactions, weight gain, gas, and bloating. Maltodextrin may also cause skin rashes or skin irritation, asthma, muscle cramps, or difficulty breathing.
What are the benefits of maltodextrin?
Maltodextrin is a cheap and effective food product that can improve the texture, taste and shelf life of food. Many athletes and people who want to increase their muscle or body weight use products containing maltodextrin because it is a fast and complete source of energy.
Maltodextrin is a completely refined carbohydrate, so it probably won’t be good for the average person. If you have not eaten foods in the past, you do not need to add them to your diet now.
However, here are a few things that maltodextrin may have benefits:
- Fuel and energy for exercise
Because maltodextrin is rapidly digested, it can be added to sports drinks or supplements as a quick source of energy for athletes and bodybuilders.
In fact, according to the Critical Review of Food and Nutrition, it is less likely to cause gastrointestinal problems than other carbohydrates commonly used in sports drinks such as glucose or sucrose.
Although more research is needed, a small study in February 2013 found that taking maltodextrin and glutamine (an amino acid) two hours before exercise can help maintain strength for anaerobic exercise.
- Prevention of colon cancer
According to an April 2015 study in the journal Cancer Biology & Therapy, a digestive-resistant maltodextrin called Fibersol-2 may help prevent tumor growth in human colon cancer cells, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. .
Side tips: Wider methods are said to be used to prevent colon cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, the following lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of colon cancer:
- Eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Drink less alcohol
- Do not smoke
- Exercise most days of the week
- Have the right weight
- food digestion
An October 2015 study in the European Journal of Nutrition found that maltodextrin improved digestion. In addition, the additive is commonly used in processed foods that are not fully digested and are not complete.
Side tips: The best ways to improve the normal digestion of food provided by the Cleveland Clinic are:
- Eat five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables daily
- Choose more whole grains
- Limit beef, lamb and processed meats (such as bacon or hot dogs)
- Instead of grilling and frying, steam, microwave and boil food
- Eat foods with probiotics such as yogurt, raw apple cider vinegar, garlic, onions and sauerkraut
Summary
People use maltodextrin as a synthetic food additive or carbohydrate supplement to increase energy levels and performance.
Experts say it is safe for most people, although it can have some risks, especially for people with diabetes. However, maltodextrin is still an important dietary supplement, especially for athletes.
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