Does Maltodextrin Elevate Blood Sugar?

Alongside your kind 2 diabetes and prediabetes journey, you will have heard of an ingredient – maltodextrin; and questioned: does it elevate blood sugar?

It’s no surprise it’s complicated as there are over 60 totally different names for varied sugars – and maltodextrin occurs to be certainly one of them!

Clearly, understanding the influence of particular food substances on blood sugar ranges is essential.

So let’s make clear what maltodextrin is, its influence on blood sugar, and the varieties of meals you’ll discover it in.

What’s Maltodextrin?

Maltodextrin is a extremely processed polysaccharide (a sort of carbohydrate) that’s derived from starch.

It’s generally used as a meals additive for its thickening and filler properties, usually present in processed meals, sauces, and drinks. Its taste is impartial, making it a flexible ingredient within the meals business.

Regardless of its widespread use, the influence of maltodextrin on blood sugar ranges has been a degree of concern, particularly for individuals managing diabetes. And the priority is for good purpose.

The Affect of Maltodextrin on Blood Sugar Ranges

Because of its construction, maltodextrin is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream quickly, which may result in a fast improve in blood glucose ranges.

Maltodextrin has a excessive glycemic index (GI), which once more, means it may possibly trigger fast spikes in blood sugar ranges shortly after consumption.

Managing blood sugar ranges is important to stop problems and keep well being. The excessive GI of maltodextrin implies that it may possibly probably disrupt glycemic management, which isn’t an important factor for you.

In different phrases, maltodextrin is a sort of carb/sugar that’s greatest averted, or no less than minimized.

Frequent Maltodextrin-Containing Meals

Maltodextrin is usually utilized in all kinds of meals discovered within the grocery store.

Listed here are some widespread examples the place maltodextrin could be discovered:

• Sports activities drinks – to enhance texture and dissolve substances.
• Diet bars – helps bind substances and enhance shelf life.
• Sweet – offers a fat-like physique, texture, and mouthfeel.
• On the spot pudding mixes – acts as a thickener.
• Sauces and dressings – used to thicken or stabilize the product.
• Soups – for thickening and enhancing mouthfeel.
• Meal substitute shakes – serves as a carbohydrate supply and thickener.
• Seasoning blends – used as a service for flavorings.
• Baked items – helps retain moisture and prolong shelf life.
• Snack meals – offers texture and taste enhancement.

All the time test meals labels to keep away from maltodextrin, and keep in mind, substances are all the time listed in descending order based mostly on the quantity in a product.

Maltodextrin Totally different From Resistant Dextran

Don’t confuse one other dextran for maltodextran, for example, resistant dextran.

Not like maltodextrin, which is a fast supply of vitality however problematic for blood sugar ranges, resistant dextran is a sort of soluble fiber often known as resistant starch.

It’s referred to as “resistant” as a result of it resists digestion within the small gut and as a substitute reaches the big gut the place it acts as a prebiotic.

Within the giant gut, resistant dextran is fermented by the intestine micro organism, producing short-chain fatty acids that may be helpful for well being. Because of this, resistant dextran is taken into account a practical meals and it may be included in meals or bakery merchandise to boost their dietary fiber content material.

It does not spike blood sugar ranges and might truly assist in managing them, contributing to a decrease glycemic response general. Along with bettering insulin resistance and lowering irritation.

Conclusion

Maltodextrin, a typical meals additive, can elevate blood sugar ranges as a consequence of its excessive glycemic index.

With diabetes, you have to fastidiously contemplate your consumption of maltodextrin-containing meals as a part of your dietary administration technique.

All the time test meals labels and attempt to keep away from maltodextrin, particularly if managing blood sugar ranges is a priority.

Basing your consuming plan round nutrient dense entire meals, with much less processed meals is a key element for higher blood sugar and higher general well being, too!