What is maltodextrin?
Nutritionists recommend that, whenever possible, you try to eat whole foods, load up on produce, and prepare meals from scratch. When you don’t have the time or energy to do so, however, there are countless already prepared foods in the grocery store to choose from. When you read the list of ingredients, you will often see a food additive called maltodextrin.
Made from plant starch, regular maltodextrin helps preserve the shelf life of packaged foods, and acts as a sweetener and thickener in foods such as instant pudding, sauces ,and salad dressing. The role regular maltodextrin plays in packaged foods is similar to corn syrup, although it is comparatively low in sugar.
Another form of maltodextrin, known as “resistant maltodextrin,” has properties analogous to fiber in that it improves intestinal function: “A study in the European Journal of Nutrition found that digestion-resistant maltodextrin had positive effects on overall digestion.”
Is maltodextrin good for you?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved maltodextrin as a safe food additive. When it serves as a preservative or sweetener, you will find it in your food in such a small quantity that there is no direct impact on your health.
Used as a supplement, however, maltodextrin and resistant maltodextrin do have some benefits. “Regular maltodextrin provides calories and is digested like any other sugar, while resistant maltodextrin is similar to dietary fiber.”
Along with providing calories, regular maltodextrin has a high glycemic index, which means it increases your blood sugar level quickly. If you suffer from hypoglycemia, taking maltodextrin can help to quickly bring up your blood sugar levels when they become dangerously low. It can also provide a quick pick-me-up after a particularly difficult workout.
Maltodextrin fiber, the resistant formulation, can help promote healthy digestion by increasing colonic speed and adding bulk to the stool.
More maltodextrin in your diet
Maltodextrin in supplements works similarly to how it does in foods: as a preservative, sweetener, quick delivery system, and as a fiber in the resistant form.
Clarifiber fiber supplement from Vibrant Nutraceuticals is an easy-to-use liquid fiber that contains maltodextrin fiber, acacia fiber, and chia seed. These natural ingredients are gluten free and GMO free, and can help you stay regular. One serving of Clarifiber provides a whopping 50% of the recommended fiber intake for the day and promotes a healthy digestive tract.
Tired of gritty, rank tasting fiber supplements? Do your body a favor and try flavorless, smooth Clarifiber today.
What Does Maltodextrin Do to the Body? Livestrong.com.
