What is it?
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide that is used as a food additive. It is produced from starch by partial hydrolysis and is usually found as a white hygroscopic spray-dried powder.[1] Maltodextrin is easily digestible, being absorbed as rapidly as glucose, and might be either moderately sweet or almost flavorless. It is commonly used for the production of sodas and candy. It can also be found as an ingredient in a variety of other processed foods.
Key information
- When it’s added to foods, maltodextrin thickens the product, prevents crystallization and helps bind ingredients together.
- Used to make carbohydrate supplements, which are marketed to athletes and bodybuilders who need the sugar for extra energy.
More information
Complex carbohydrates, or starches, are made from thousands of units of glucose connected together. Maltodextrin is produced by using enzymes or acids to break down starches from corn, potatoes and rice into smaller pieces. The end result is a white powder that doesn’t taste sweet, is easily digested and delivers 4 calories per gram.
Reference: http://bit.ly/172Cv0N
