What is MALTODEXTRIN?
A maltodextrin is a short chain of molecularly linked dextrose (glucose) molecules, and is manufactured by regulating the hydrolysis of starch. Typical commercial maltodextrins contain as few as three and as many as nineteen linked dextrose units. While the singular term “maltodextrin” is permitted in an ingredient statement, the term “maltodextrin” can be applied to any starch hydrolysis product that contains fewer than 20 dextrose (glucose) units linked together. This means that the term “maltodextrin” stands for a family of products, not a single distinct ingredient. Additionally, today’s commercially important maltodextrin products are produced from corn, potato or rice. Unlike the other starch sweeteners, the undefined term “maltodextrin” can be used in an ingredient list no matter the original source of starch. Maltodextrins are used in a wide array of foods, from canned fruits to snacks. Maltodextrins may also be an ingredient in the single-serve, table-top packet of some artifi
The maltodextrin in Metamucil is a carbohydrate derived from cornstarch. It is used to improve texture and aid in mixing. Maltodextrin contains approximately 25 percent digestible sugars, as compared to sucrose, or table sugar, which consists of 100 percent digestible sugars. Maltodextrin, like other carbohydrates, provides 4 kcal/g. On a per-dose basis of Metamucil, this amounts to about 6 to 8 calories coming from the maltodextrin.
Maltodextrin is a soluble (dissolvable) complex carbohydrate that acts as a buffer to keep enzymes and other molecules apart so that they do not react and denature (lose their healthful properties). It is not a simple sugar (dextrose, fructose, sucrose, table sugar, corn syrup, etc.) and does not behave like a simple sugar. It can be derived from potato or cornstarch, and its starch component frees glucose across the human intestinal barrier in a time-release fashion over several hours, so no steep rise or fall of blood sugar results. Maltodextrin is used to help stabilize and protect AIM BarleyLife. When the maltodextrin is sprayed on to AIM BarleyLife, it forms a protective coating around the fragile nutrients. This shield is broken when you add a liquid and drink the product.
