Maltodextrin: The Hidden Keto Diet Danger

Maltodextrin is a highly processed artificial sweetener and preservative derived from starchy plants like corn, wheat, potatoes, rice, or tapioca. It is often used as a cheap filler to enhance the texture, volume, and shelf life of processed food products. While it is approved by the FDA, maltodextrin has several negative side effects, especially for those on a keto diet.

Maltodextrin has a high glycemic index, which can cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels, leading to weight gain and insulin resistance. It can also affect gut health by disrupting the balance of gut bacteria and increasing the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases. Additionally, it offers no nutritional value and can hinder weight loss by kicking the body out of ketosis.

For these reasons, it is important for those following a keto diet to avoid maltodextrin and opt for alternative keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol.

Maltodextrin is highly processed

The resulting white powder is tasteless and water-soluble. It is used as a thickener, filler, or preservative in food products. It is also added to personal care items like lotion and hair products and used as a filler in pharmaceuticals.

Maltodextrin is a cheap additive typically manufactured from genetically modified (GMO) corn. It is highly processed to render it gluten-free, even when derived from wheat. This intensive processing means that maltodextrin has no nutritional value and few, if any, health benefits.

It is a cheap additive

Maltodextrin is a cheap additive typically manufactured from genetically modified (GMO) corn. It is a highly intensive process that requires breaking down the starches from corn, wheat, potatoes, rice, or tapioca into a water-soluble powder. This is achieved through partial hydrolysis, which uses water, enzymes, and acids.

Maltodextrin is a cheap additive because it is easy to produce and used to bulk up or thicken food products, making them cheaper to produce. It is also used to enhance the texture and flavour of foods and extend their shelf life. As a result, it is a common ingredient in many processed foods, such as protein powders, supplements, meal replacement shakes, and energy drinks.

However, maltodextrin is not a healthy option. It contains empty calories and carbohydrates, with the same amount of calories and carbs as table sugar. It has a high glycemic index, which can cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels, making it unsuitable for a keto diet. Additionally, it can cause gastrointestinal issues and negatively impact gut health by affecting the growth of healthy gut bacteria.

It can cause insulin spikes

Maltodextrin is a highly processed thickening agent and sweetener extracted from different high-carb sources such as corn, potato, rice, tapioca, or wheat. It is a cheap additive that, when combined with other artificial sweeteners, can be used as a thickener, texture and flavour enhancer, and compound to extend the shelf life of processed foods.

Maltodextrin has a high glycemic index (GI) that can reach well past 100. To compare, table sugar has a GI of 65. The glycemic index measures the rate at which foods raise blood sugar levels. The lower the GI, the slower glucose is released and absorbed in the body. Low GI foods are often more filling and satisfying, whereas high GI foods cause drastic increases in blood sugar and insulin levels, which will inevitably kick you out of ketosis.

Maltodextrin is quickly digested in the body, so it will offer a rapid dose of energy. However, this also means it raises your blood glucose, causing a dramatic spike in insulin levels. This is because maltodextrin has an extremely high glycemic index (GI) that can reach well past 100. A study on mice also discovered that maltodextrin promotes the survival of salmonella, which is linked to chronic inflammatory disease. Another study found that maltodextrin enhances the growth of E. coli, a significant player in Crohn’s disease.

Healthy insulin levels are vital to reap the health benefits of a keto diet. When you have high blood sugar levels, your pancreas secretes insulin to redirect that blood glucose into your muscles, fat, and liver cells. It is kept there for future use and constitutes what is known as glycogen stores. This is what you want to avoid on keto. If your metabolism still has some stored glucose, it will continue to reach for it and use it as its primary fuel source, instead of going for fat and shifting into a state of ketosis.

High blood sugar levels can also lead to low insulin sensitivity and, in the long term, to insulin resistance. This is undesirable as it means your pancreas will need to produce higher levels of this hormone. The more insulin sensitive you are, the more easily your body can digest carbs and convert them into energy instead of storing them as fat. Therefore, keeping your insulin at healthy levels might prevent weight gain and help you transition into ketosis.

It can negatively affect gut health

Maltodextrin can negatively affect gut health in several ways. Firstly, it can cause gastrointestinal distress, leading to bloating, gurgling sounds, and even diarrhea. Secondly, it can affect the balance of gut bacteria by suppressing the growth of healthy gut bacteria and promoting the growth of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. This imbalance can lead to a weakened immune system, increased inflammation in the body, and a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease. Additionally, consuming maltodextrin can impair the body's ability to respond to bacteria and suppress antimicrobial defence mechanisms, further compromising gut health. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid maltodextrin, especially for individuals following a keto diet, to maintain optimal gut health and overall well-being.

It can cause gastrointestinal distress

Maltodextrin is a highly-processed thickening agent and sweetener that can cause gastrointestinal distress. It is made from different high-carb sources such as corn, potato, rice, tapioca, or wheat. It is a cheap additive that is often used as a filler to enhance the texture and flavour of processed foods, as well as to extend their shelf life.

Maltodextrin can cause gastrointestinal distress, including bloating, gurgling sounds, and even diarrhoea. These side effects are transient, but consuming maltodextrin regularly, even in small amounts, can negatively affect your gut bacteria and immune responses.

Maltodextrin is quickly digested in the body, providing a rapid energy boost. However, this also means it raises your blood glucose, causing a dramatic spike in insulin levels. This can lead to an increased risk of weight gain, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

The high insulin spikes caused by maltodextrin can also affect your gastrointestinal health. It can impair the way cells respond to bacteria and suppress your body's antimicrobial defence mechanisms, leading to increased inflammation levels and the development of chronic diseases.

Additionally, maltodextrin may promote the growth of harmful bacteria such as E. coli, which has been linked to Crohn's disease. Therefore, it is important to avoid consuming maltodextrin to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal system and reduce the risk of inflammation and chronic diseases.

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