Reviewing the foods my patients share with me has shown that more and more food labels include the carb ingredient maltodextrin.
If there had to be one food that is detrimental to your health, maltodextrin would be high on the list.
Most people are unaware that this dangerous food may lead to increased belly fat diabetes, disrupt gut health, lead to gut inflammation, significant bloating and gas, and improve cholesterol, posing an increased cardiovascular risk.
What is maltodextrin?
Maltodextrin is a highly processed, plant-based substance usually made from corn, but rice, potato, wheat, or tapioca can also be used.
What Is Maltodextrin Used For?
Food manufacturers add maltodextrin to a wide range of processed foods, such as artificial sweeteners, baked goods, yogurt, beer, nutrition bars, weight-training supplements, cereals, meal-replacement shakes, low-fat and reduced-calorie products, condiments, sauces, spice mixes, salad dressings, chips, pie fillings, and snack foods, to improve consistency, texture, and taste.
Five Dangers of Consuming Maltodextrin
1: Maltodextrin Spikes Blood Sugar Levels
Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate that gets easily absorbed and into the bloodstream quickly.
Because maltodextrin is so quickly absorbed, it can dangerously spike blood sugar levels. This can be especially problematic for people with diabetes mellitus.
Glycemic Index Shock
Maltodextrin scores between 110 and 136 on the glycemic index, which is 1.6 to 2 times higher than white table sugar and glucose. Thus, it is a major concern for blood sugar spikes.
If you’re trying to manage your blood sugar levels, foods containing maltodextrin are not your best choice.
A sudden spike in blood glucose can cause potentially serious issues for people with diabetes or insulin resistance and can be life-threatening for those with uncontrolled diabetes.
2: Negatively Impacts Gut Bacteria
Research suggests that people who consume maltodextrin may have fewer good and more harmful bacteria. This could lead to gastroenteritis, intestine damage, and a higher risk of a broad range of chronic inflammatory conditions.
Studies have shown that maltodextrin increases the activity of Escherichia coli bacteria, which may play a role in the development of Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease.
A study conducted at the Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center in Boston also indicates that maltodextrin impairs cellular antibacterial responses and suppresses intestinal antimicrobial defense mechanisms, leading to inflammatory bowel disease.
3: Maltodextrin and Allergies or Intolerances
Maltodextrin contributes to allergic reactions, weight gain, gas, flatulence, and bloating.
Maltodextrin may also cause a rash or skin irritation, asthma, cramping, or difficulty breathing.
4: Maltodextrin Linked to Autoimmune Diseases
A 2012 study found that maltodextrin increased bacterial adhesion to human intestinal epithelial cells and enhanced E. coli adhesion, associated with autoimmune disorders.
5: Made From Genetically Modified Corn
According to research published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, genetically modified foods have shown that they may toxically affect several bodily organs and systems, including the pancreatic, renal, reproductive, and immunologic parameters. Because corn maltodextrin is made by processing corn with enzymes and the United States Department of Agriculture found that 85 percent of corn planted in the U.S. is genetically modified to be tolerant to herbicides, it’s most likely that the maltodextrin you eat is a genetically modified food.
Better Substitutes for Maltodextrin
- Pectin comes from fruits, seeds, and vegetables
- Stevia, derived from the leaf of the stevia plant
- Dates that provide copper, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and iron
- Raw Organic Honey
- Guar gum that works as a thickening agent and slows down glucose absorption
Comments
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deems maltodextrin safe, it can be considered a metabolism-death food—it has no nutritional value. There are some pretty scary maltodextrin dangers to consider before opening a bag of chips or baked goods, such as spiking blood sugar and the other dangers listed above.
My strong advice is to do your due diligence and check the nutrition labels on the packaged foods in your refrigerator, freezer, and cupboard. There’s a good chance the ingredients list includes maltodextrin.
Do not eat any foods with maltodextrin listed as one of the ingredients.
It is simply NOT worth the risk.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4940893/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6409436/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4615306/
https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/read-your-food-labels-watch-out-maltodextrin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25000398/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188/full
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352345X18301218
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369223/