What is Maltodextrin

A member of the dextrin family, maltodextrin is a polymer of carbohydrate or polysaccharide, to be precise. For the reason that dextrins are a group of carbohydrates that have low molecular weight maltodextrin gains significance as a food additive and a sweetener. It is produced from hydrolysis of starch, and can be easily digested. Maltodextrin is available in the market in the form of a white powder, and is extensively used for a number of purposes. The following section gets you acquainted with more of what is maltodextrin used for, and it's dangers as well as side effects, if any. Take a look.

Maltodextrin Explained

As mentioned above, maltodextrin is a carbohydrate that can be easily digested in comparison to other carbohydrates. This leaves lesser room for health problems, and as a result of that, maltodextrin is often brought into use by individuals fraught with diabetes. While cooking starch, when natural enzymes and acids are included within, in order to break down the starch even further, a white powder is produced that comprises minuscule calories, along with small amounts of fat and protein. While this is about how maltodextrin is produced, the section that follows below sheds light on the extensive usage of the same. Have a go.

Uses

Maltodextrin, as a food additive, has a wide range of applications. It is made from corn, potato, rice, or wheat, and hence, it inherits water-attracting characteristics from the environment. Due to extremely low calorie content (1 gm maltodextrin equals 4 calories), this is what is maltodextrin best used as - a food additive that is a perfect sugar substitute to those calorie conscious. That said, maltodextrin is often used by people who work-out, and want to control their weight. Needless to say, those suffering from diabetes use maltodextrin powder in tea, coffee, and other beverages.

What's more, in contrary to losing weight, maltodextrin is widely used for gaining weight too. Along with whey protein, this food additive can be consumed in limited amount, as it becomes easily digestible. Also, if added to protein drinks, it increases the amount of calories, thus, contributing to weight gain. Maltodextrin serves as an absorber of the necessary nutrients in energy drinks that a fitness-conscious individual consumes post working out. This triggers the transportation of nutrients to cells and tissues of the muscles, and is, as a result, extremely beneficial for health-conscious people.

Lastly, at home, maltodextrin is brought into use in soups, ketchups, and beverages. Also, it is added to desserts, cakes, cookies, etc. in place of sugar to maintain the level of sweetness in lesser calories. Alcohol free beer, bodybuilding supplements, etc. contain maltodextrin in order to keep the carb content lower. All in all, it can be said that little amounts of maltodextrin powder in anything that is supposed to be sweet can trigger nutrient absorption, contribute to weight loss, and maintain fitness.

Maltodextrin Side Effects and Dangers

But then, with positives come the negatives as well. Overuse of this additive could lead to several health problems, and maltodextrin dangers, if not taken care of, could create irreversible complications for your health. To start with, one of the most commonly seen dangers of maltodextrin is lowered blood sugar levels. Due to work-out and excessive consumption of this additive, an individual may face problems in digesting food, constipation, and hypoglycemia. What's more, consumption of maltodextrin in large amounts can cause an insulin spike, thereby, resulting in unhealthy weight gain as a result of excessive storage of energy in the form of fat in body. Among the many side effects of this food additive, researchers claim one to be quite true - tooth decay, plaque, and tartar. All these dental problems are a result of consumption of maltodextrin in almost everything you eat, just in the hope to lose more weight. Body weakness, ache, dizziness, and fatigue come hand in hand too.

Anything in excess is bad, or so the saying goes. The above side effects and dangers are a proof of what this additive is capable of doing to your health. Consumption of maltodextrin in small quantities has proven beneficial for people, but excessive inclusion of this food additive as a sugar substitute in foods has proven fatal too. However ambiguous you are with regards to the consumption of this additive, it's always recommended that you speak to your health specialist in the first place.