What is maltodextrin

But is maltodextrin healthy, and what does it mean if it's in many of the foods you eat daily? Here's what you should know about maltodextrin and its effects on blood sugar, bowel diseases and more. Maltodextrin, which is sometimes listed as "maltrin" on ingredient lists, is a common food additive.

It's made from starchy foods like rice, corn, potatoes or wheat. As a carbohydrate, maltodextrin has 4 calories per gram, per the USDA. In other words, plant starches are broken down and then the water is removed to create a starchy, white powder.

There are many reasons manufacturers use maltodextrin. It can help improve a food's texture and mouthfeel, especially for low-fat or no-fat products. It also acts as a preservative to give foods longer shelf lives and can keep frozen foods from melting quickly. You likely won't use maltodextrin by itself in a recipe — but you will find it in products like Splenda or Stevia in the Raw Bakers Bag.

Some companies also sell maltodextrin supplements, which are marketed as an easy-digesting fuel for runners and cyclists. Still, it's commonly found in processed foods that are high in refined carbohydrates — like frozen desserts and baked goods. These foods tend to be low in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Ultra-processed foods make up 58 percent of the total calories in the average American diet, but these foods are linked with obesity, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, per the American College of Cardiology.

Maltodextrin may raise your blood sugar, but that doesn't necessarily mean people with type 2 diabetes need to avoid it, per a physician-reviewed article from ConsumerLab. If you have type 2 diabetes, you should always talk to your doctor for specific guidance, but it may be safe for you to eat products with maltodextrin as long as you factor it into your total carbohydrate intake. Although there's no "one-size-fits-all" limit, people with diabetes should aim to get about half of their calories from carbs, according to the U.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For someone eating 1, calories per day, that may mean 65 grams of carbs at breakfast, 59 grams at lunch, 57 grams at dinner and 19 grams in a snack.

Keep in mind that maltodextrin will not be included in the sugar count on a nutrition label, but it will be included in the total carbohydrates, per ConsumerLab. The maltodextrin marketed for post-workout recovery is high in calories. In fact, some brands are promoted to help you gain weight such as mass gainer powders. Maltodextrin is a white powder made from corn, rice, potato starch, or wheat.

To make it, first the starches are cooked, and then acids or enzymes such as heat-stable bacterial alpha-amylase are added to break it down further. The resulting white powder is water-soluble and has a neutral taste. Maltodextrins are closely related to corn syrup solids, with the one difference being their sugar content. Both undergo hydrolysis, a chemical process involving the addition of water to further assist breakdown.

However, after hydrolysis, corn syrup solids are at least 20 percent sugar, while maltodextrin is less than 20 percent sugar. Is maltodextrin safe? The U. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, carbohydrates should make up no more than 45—65 percent of your overall calories. Ideally, most of those carbohydrates should be complex carbohydrates that are rich in fiber , not foods that quickly raise your blood sugar.

If you have diabetes or insulin resistance , or if your doctor has recommended a low-carbohydrate diet , you should include any maltodextrin you eat in your total carbohydrate count for the day.

However, maltodextrin is usually only present in food in small amounts. Maltodextrin is high on the glycemic index GI , meaning that it can cause a spike in your blood sugar. Diets consisting of largely low-GI foods are beneficial for everyone, not just people with diabetes. Why is maltodextrin in your food?

Maltodextrin is generally used as a thickener or filler to increase the volume of a processed food. It can also be combined with artificial sweeteners to sweeten products such as canned fruits, desserts, and powdered drinks. Maltodextrin has 4 calories per gram — the same amount of calories as sucrose , or table sugar. This means that it can raise your blood sugar level very quickly. Maltodextrin is considered generally safe to eat by the FDA.

In fact, maltodextrins are also produced in the intestine when we digest starchy foods. They have the same calorie density as sugars and carbohydrates.

Maltodextrins are used to replace sugar or fat in many food products such as ice cream, dried instant food formulations, sweets, cereals, snacks, and beverages. Maltodextrin is considered high on the glycemic index, with a score between 80—, meaning it raises blood sugar about the same as glucose.

Such a diet can lead to weight gain, higher levels of cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Here are some potential concerns about maltodextrin:. While the FDA insists that GM crops are just as safe as traditional ones, there are some people who feel strongly about avoiding products made from GM corn. There may be concerns for those with food sensitivities, particularly those with inflammatory bowel disease. Signs of intolerance to maltodextrin include bloating, cramping, and possible diarrhea.

The gut is a delicate ecosystem of bacteria, and the balance can be upset by what goes in. Some very unwelcome bacteria happen to thrive on maltodextrin and other processed carbohydrates and sugars, including:. Maltodextrin is the same as table sugar on the glycemic index, which means eating an excess can cause a spike in blood sugar. Any of the following symptoms after eating a food containing maltodextrin could point to higher blood sugar levels:.

It is controversial and has a range of purported side effects, although many…. Stevia is a popular sugar substitute that is to times sweeter than table sugar yet has few calories. It is considered to have potential health….

Vanilla extract adds depth of flavor to recipes and baked goods, and substitutes can replace it in a pinch. Learn more about replacements for vanilla…. What is maltodextrin and is it safe? Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R. What is it? Which foods contain it? Is it safe? Benefits Alternatives Summary Maltodextrin is a white, starchy powder that manufacturers add into many foods to improve their flavor, thickness, or shelf life.

What is maltodextrin? Share on Pinterest Maltodextrin is a food additive. Which foods contain maltodextrin? Share on Pinterest Some salad dressings may contain maltodextrin. Is maltodextrin safe? Benefits of maltodextrin. Alternatives to maltodextrin. Share on Pinterest Tapioca starch is an alternative to maltodextrin. Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?

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