What is Maltodextrin? Dangers and Side Effects
Whenever festivals come around, you might be wondering what you should add to your diet to be glowing, healthy, fresh, and festive-ready! You might also have to do some fasting for the rituals, so keeping an eye on your food and what you are eating is very important!
When you're deciding what foods to cut out, you should be aware of the following thing when deciding your cheat meal too.
Do Your Favourite Pasta and Biscuits Contain This Dangerous Element?
How can foods have dangerous elements or compounds? Well, unfortunately, the answer is not as straightforward as it might seem. ‘Maltodextrin’ is a common filler found in all foods – from your favorite pasta to biscuits!
While we are trying to choose healthier foods and eat clean, it is extremely important to understand that not all foods marketed as ‘healthy’ are really ‘healthy’. While no sugar, non-GMO, and gluten-free, are some things most of us are aware of, there are still many preservatives and chemicals added to foods that are dangerous to us. And Maltodextrin is one such element that tops the list.
In this video, Mihir, our co-founder, talks about ‘Maltodextrin’, a common filler ingredient, its dangers, and Maltodextrin’s side effects.
What is Maltodextrin?
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide (a carbohydrate that has sugar molecules combined) – a starchy substance found in powder form. It can be made from rice, wheat, or potato, but is mainly made from corn, which is known to be genetically modified (GMO). It is highly processed and undergoes multiple stages of treatment to reach the final powder form. Maltodextrin offers zero nutritional value and is added to many packaged foods to improve their shelf life along with their texture (mouth feel) and taste.
What Maltodextrin is Used For
Maltodextrin is usually used as a filler ingredient. It is added as a food additive as it helps improve the longevity of the product and also enhances the mouth feel. It can also be used to improve the taste of the final product- in the most unhealthy manner. Maltodextrin in food can cause multiple health issues when consumed for long periods of time.
What are Maltodextrin’s Side Effects
Maltodextrin is extremely unhealthy and can lead to various health issues. And consuming them daily in your diet may lead to various health issues. Read on to understand in-depth about the side effects of Maltodextrin.
Suggested Read – 7 Foods That Weaken Your Immune System
Blood Sugar: Maltodextrin has a very high glycemic index (GI) which means it creates a massive spike in your blood sugar when consumed. The GI for normal sugar is 65 whereas the GI for maltodextrin is 105 to 136, making it really dangerous to people who are prone to diabetes or who have diabetes. Such spikes also trigger lethargy and may also lead to feeling hungry.
Gut Health: Our gut contains healthy bacteria that support various functions like digestion, synthesizing nutrients, etc. Without a healthy gut, your body’s normal functions can be highly impaired. Maltodextrin is known to cause changes in these gut bacteria. Studies by NCBI*, state that Maltodextrin can cause intestinal inflammation. It may suppress the growth of beneficial bacteria and increase the number of unhealthy bacteria in the gut. This imbalance can cause various intestinal disorders including inflammatory conditions.
Weight Gain: It is no surprise that an element, Maltodextrin, with no nutritional value and high GI may lead to weight gain. Eliminate maltodextrin completely from your diet to ensure better weight management.
Allergic Reactions: Also due to its high GI, it can cause allergic reactions in the gastrointestinal system as well as your skin. Maltodextrin is known to cause issues like gas, bloating and sometimes even diarrhea.
Conclusion
There are multiple health hazards caused by Maltodextrin. It is advisable to eliminate it completely from your diet. Read your food labels and make informed choices before purchasing any food item.
Did You Know?
OZiva is India’s first certified (by US CLP) clean nutrition brand and does not contain any artificial ingredients, artificial sweeteners or additives making it a safe and healthy choice for your health and wellness.
Why OZiva?
- Raw, Natural & Clean
- Enriched with the goodness of Ayurvedic Herbs
- No Preservatives, Gluten Free & Soy Free
So there you have it! When planning your Navratri diet and fasting patterns, analyse any packed foods you are buying to see if it contains the ingredient Maltodextrin. And if it does, put the food down! There are plenty of healthy alternatives out there for you. Check out the oziva website or read our other blogs to learn more.
