Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide or polymer of carbohydrate, and is a member of the dextrin family. Dextrins are a group of carbohydrates having low molecular weight. They are produced from starch. Maltodextrin is also produced by cooking the starch, also known as hydrolysis of starch. While producing it, acid or enzymes are used for facilitating the break down of starch. Maltodextrin can be digested easily, and is available as a white powder. Its constituent elements are D-glucose or dextrin units. The dextrin units are connected in chains of different length.

Maltodextrin has wide range of applications as a food additive. It is usually sweet or without any flavor. In United States, maltodextrin is generally made from rice, corn or potato, while in Europe, wheat is commonly used for producing maltodextrin. Maltodextrin has the property of attracting water from the environment. The characteristic of maltodextrin varies to some extent depending on the source of starch, i.e., whether it is produced from rice, wheat, corn or potato. It is mainly used as a food additive for its low content of calorie. Generally, 1 gm of maltodextrin contains only 4 calories, which is quite low in comparison to sugar.

Maltodextrin is ideal as a sugar substitute for people trying to control their weight. It can also be used by people suffering from diabetes, as a sweetener in tea, coffee, etc. People trying to gain weight can use maltodextrin, as it is easily digestible. These people can take maltodextrin along with whey protein. Maltodextrin can also be added to protein drinks to increase the amount of calories. It is used in many energy drinks for being easily digestible. After heavy exercise or any other strenuous activity, if maltodextrin is taken along with other nutrients, it speeds up the transportation of nutrients to the muscle tissues and cells. It also helps in the absorption of these nutrients. Because of this, it is widely used by bodybuilders.

Maltodextrin is used in healthy drinks, soups and also in sauces. It is used as a carbohydrate component in dry beverage mixes, puddings, desserts, cake, cookie mix, etc. Maltodextrin is being used in infant foods, particularly in non-milk fluids for a long time. It has also found applications in pharmaceutical and confectionary industries as a coating material along with glucose syrup. Ice creams, food coating, low alcohol beer, cheese spread and salad dressings also make use of maltodextrin. Meal replacement powder, weight gain powder and post exercise supplements also contain maltodextrin.

Till now, adverse effects of maltodextrin in humans have not been proved, though many are of the opinion that maltodextrin affects blood sugar level and also decays teeth. Few products like artificial sweetener, energy drinks and high fructose corn syrup can also impact health. Studies have shown that long-term use of the artificial sweetener sucralose, which is made from dextrose and maltodextrin may cause enlargement of liver and kidney disorders in rodents.