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Maltodextrin is a very popular ingredient in many foods. This polysaccharide is also used in medicine and is popular among people who practice sports intensively.
Properties of maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a substance composed of glucose molecules. It is obtained by hydrolysis of starch with the use of amylases. Then a special white powder is formed, well soluble in water, from which gels, emulsions and capsules are formed.
Maltodextrin is used not only in the pharmaceutical industry, but also in food production. It found its way into the latter industry very quickly, already at the end of the 50s. Maltodextrin is easily digestible, which makes it a source of quickly obtained energy, thanks to which it has been used in the mass production of food products.
See also: How to take medications effectively?
Maltodextrin in food
Maltodextrin is mainly used in the production of light food products, in which it acts as a fat substitute. The maltodextrins have the function of forming gels resembling a fat emulsion. By replacing some of the fat with them, you can reduce its calorific value, while maintaining its consistency, unfortunately at the expense of the natural smell and taste, which had to be compensated by other substances.
This fact must be taken into account when buying light products in the store, in which the share of compounds that are only additives is much greater. Substances of natural origin are much more beneficial to the body than those that have been produced in an artificial way.
In addition, thanks to its texture-improving properties, maltodextrin is often used as an ingredient in various cakes, biscuits, wafers, biscuits and rusks. Thanks to it, confectionery products are more brittle and dry less, which extends the shelf life of the product. Maltodextrins are also present in instant products such as, for example, sauces, soups, desserts or powdered creams, because this substance facilitates dissolution and is also an emulsifier and stabilizer.
There is also a lot of maltodextrin in meat products, because in the nitrate brines used for them, it is a breeding ground for bacteria responsible for the maturation of meat. Thanks to the properties that make maltodextrin a great fat substitute, it is also used as an ingredient in dairy products such as butter, ice cream, margarine, yoghurt or cheese. Additionally, being an ingredient of cheeses or margarines, maltodextrin ensures good spreading of these products even a moment after taking them out of the refrigerator.
On the other hand, in ice cream and ice cream desserts, maltodextrin is responsible for increasing the freezing temperature, improves the effect of controlled melting and prevents the formation of large ice crystals during freezing.
Uses of maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is used very often in medicines as a binder. In addition, due to the fact that it is easily digestible, it also constitutes ingredient of popular baby products (e.g. porridges) and sports food, especially drinks, which quickly replenish the reserves of glycogen in the muscles during and after training. Maltodextrin strengthens the body and allows it to regenerate faster. Thanks to it, it is able to work at full capacity regardless of the situation (i.e. also when the body is weakened for various reasons).
In addition, maltodextrin is also used in cosmeticsbecause it is added to creams and lotions. Thanks to it, cosmetic preparations have the right consistency, while active substances contained in cosmetics are easier to absorb. In the case of hair care products, maltodextrin thickens the hair, thus smoothing the strands of hair. Thanks to maltodextrin, the skin is properly moisturized and elasticized, and preparations containing it in their composition absorb moisture, mattifying combination and oily skin. Thanks to maltodextrin, vitamins penetrate the hair and skin more easily.
See also: Healthy food – advantages, taste. Healthy food for children
Dosage of maltodextrin
When deciding to buy food in a store, it is worth paying attention to whether it contains maltodextrin, and if so, how much. Foods rich in this ingredient, consumed every day, can cause certain side effects. When it comes to athletes, maltodextrin in powder form can be added to drinks. In order to obtain adequate results, it should be consumed in an amount of 20 to 70 grams, 1-3 times a day, especially during training. It is not advisable to take it in the evening. This way, you will avoid getting too much agitated, which causes sleep problems.
Maltodextrin – contraindications
Maltodextrin makes an excellent addition to your daily diet and usually has no negative side effects. However, you have to take into account that it has a high glycemic index. It is 105, which means that the use of dietary supplements with its content should be avoided by diabetes and overweight people. The exception here are people who practice sports regularly. In their case, it is permissible to use maltodextrin additionally, in the form of powdered or tablet supplements.
Maltodextrin for children
Maltodextrin is successfully used in baby porridges because this substance provides the right amount of calories necessary for the proper development of a baby. In addition, it should be added that maltodextrin replaces fats such as, for example, palm oil, thus reducing the need for this substance. Maltodextrin sometimes replaces lactose, thanks to which products containing maltodextrin can be used in children intolerant to this nutrient.
Maltodextrin – indications
Maltodextrin is a substance with many benefits and some people should consider using it.
Since maltodextrin is a rapidly digesting carbohydrate, it is often found in sports drinks and snacks. For bodybuilders and other athletes trying to gain weight, maltodextrin can be a good source of quick calories during or after training. Since maltodextrin doesn’t use as much water to digest as some carbohydrates do, it’s a good way to get calories quickly without becoming dehydrated.
It should be noted that some people with chronic hypoglycaemia take maltodextrin as part of their regular treatment. Since maltodextrin increases blood sugar levels faster, it is an effective treatment for people who are struggling to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
In addition, there is evidence that fermentation of maltodextrin in the gut may act as an agent to help prevent colorectal cancer. A recent study found that Fibersol-2, a form of digestive-resistant maltodextrin, has anti-cancer effects. It prevented the tumor from growing without any apparent toxic side effects.
Interestingly, a study in the European Journal of Nutrition found that digestive-resistant maltodextrin has a positive effect on overall digestion. It improves bowel functions such as colon transit time, stool volume, and stool consistency.
Maltodextrin – side effects
In addition to the aforementioned high glycemic index (105), which is characterized by maltodextrin, which translates into an increase in blood glucose levels, which may consequently be particularly dangerous for people with diabetes or insulin resistance, maltodextrin may also have other negative effects.
While no human studies have been performed, preliminary studies in mice suggest that people who consume maltodextrin may have a reduced number of good bacteria and an increased number of harmful bacteria in their gut. This can potentially lead to intestinal damage and an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease.
One study found that maltodextrin increased the activity of Escherichia coli, which may play a role in the development of an inflammatory bowel disease known as Crohn’s disease. Another study has linked maltodextrin to the survival of Salmonella bacteria, which can cause gastroenteritis and a wide variety of chronic inflammation. A recent study suggests that maltodextrin may also reduce the ability of cells to respond to bacteria. It can also suppress the gut’s defenses against them, leading to intestinal disorders.
It should also be added that many food additives, such as maltodextrin, can cause allergies or intolerances. Side effects can include allergic reactions, weight gain, gas, or bloating. Maltodextrin can also cause skin rash or irritation, asthma, cramps, or difficulty breathing.
In addition, maltodextrin is a sugar bacterium that the bacteria that make up of plaque like to eat. Therefore, maltodextrin may contribute to poor oral health (tooth decay). In rats, maltodextrin caused caries. In a cellular study, it increased the growth of bacteria responsible for dental inflammation and caries (Streptococcus gordonii). While maltodextrin may be less harmful to the teeth than regular sugar, also known as sucrose (for example, in a study of 10 people, maltodextrin caused less plaque than sucrose). However, maltodextrin still has a strong influence on tooth decay.
Maltodextrin – substitutes
Popular sweeteners used in home cooking in place of maltodextrin include:
- white or brown sugar;
- coconut sugar;
- deadly;
- honey;
- Maple syrup;
- fruit juice concentrates;
- molasses;
- stewie;
- corn syrup.
These are all sweeteners that can make your blood sugar spike and spike, just like the maltodextrin in question. Additionally, the use of natural sweeteners has a number of other benefits.
Honey, for example, contains over 200 compounds, including amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, and is a widely used remedy for various diseases. Raw honey has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. They can also: add energy, cause wounds to heal faster, protect the brain, reduce blood pressure, and improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Stevia, in turn, as shown by various studies: lowers blood sugar levels, lowers blood pressure and protects the heart, affects weight loss and prevents fatty liver. Pectin, on the other hand, promotes intestinal health by reducing constipation and diarrhea, lowering cholesterol, lowering blood sugar levels, reducing hunger and helping with weight loss.
In addition, it is worth considering using mashed or sliced whole fruit to sweeten your food and thus get plenty of fiber, sweets, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and water.
Other thickeners, such as guar gum and pectin, can be used as substitutes during baking and cooking.
Sweeteners that may not affect your blood sugar so much, if consumed in moderation, include:
- sugar alcohols such as erythritol or sorbitol;
- Stevia-based sweeteners;
- polidekstroza.
Sugar alcohols such as polydextrose are used to sweeten foods and can be found in processed foods with the label “no sugar” or “no added sugar” on the package. Sugar alcohols are only partially absorbed by the body, so they do not have the same effect on blood sugar as other sweeteners. Still, they should be limited to 10 grams a day to prevent gastrointestinal side effects such as bloating. Erythritol is often considered to be better tolerated.