Dietitian Lavleen Kaur mentioned this in her newest Instagram put up whereby she talked about maltodextrin, a sweetener present in most processed meals. “Uncover the hidden hazard in your food regimen: Maltodextrin! This silent perpetrator, typically present in processed meals, can spike your blood sugar ranges even greater than desk sugar. Prioritise your well being by slicing down on ultra-processed meals and make knowledgeable selections,” stated Kaur.
What’s it and the place is it used?
Maltodextrin is a kind of carbohydrate and a sweetener with low dietary values that may simply spike sugar ranges and create havoc in your well being. “Maltodextrin is a white powder made with corn, potato starch, rice, or wheat. It’s a extremely refined powder, usually used as a thickener to extend the amount of processed meals,” stated Dr Rajiv Kovil, head of diabetology, Zandra Healthcare and co-founder, Rang De Neela initiative.
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It’s usually present in chips, popcorn, milk-based drink powder, bakery gadgets, frozen meals, soups, and salad dressing, stated dietitian Simran Bhui. “It’s made utilizing the method of malting, which includes germinating cereals, drying, roasting, and powdering them to provide sugar,” defined Bhui.
Distinction between sugar and maltodextrin
Sugar is a typical disaccharide used to sweeten baked items, drinks, and numerous processed meals. It’s made up of glucose and fructose.
“A polysaccharide referred to as maltodextrin is sourced from starches similar to corn, rice, potatoes, or wheat and is utilized in many processed meals and sports activities dietary supplements as a thickening, filler, and supply of carbohydrates,” talked about Dr Harsh Kapoor – chairman (Pan Metro) – institute of gastroenterology, hepatology, GI surgical procedure and liver transplant, Metro Hospital Noida.
Know why Maltodextrin is extra dangerous than sugar (Supply: Getty Photos/Thinkstock)
These two substances’ glycemic index (GI) and the way they have an effect on blood sugar ranges is what differentiates them. “Sugar causes a light spike in blood glucose as a consequence of its average GI of roughly 65. Maltodextrin, however, has a really excessive GI, starting from 85 to 105, which can lead to a pointy and sudden rise in blood sugar. Maltodextrin is, due to this fact, particularly harmful for individuals who have diabetes or insulin resistance,” defined Dr Kapoor.Story continues beneath this advert
It claims to be sugar-free however in actuality, its glycemic index is greater than desk sugar, pressured Bhui, including: “This implies it may spike sugar ranges quicker after consumption.”
A excessive glycemic index brings a number of harmful results on the physique and isn’t advisable for not simply diabetics however pregnant and lactating girls and kids too.
“Unintended effects could embody allergic reactions, weight achieve, flatulence, gasoline, bloating, and typically rashes and pores and skin allergy symptoms,” stated Bhui.
Dr Kovil defined that such a spike can result in critical well being situations similar to coronary heart issues, issues with eyesight, kidney issues, and harm to nerves, blood vessels, and organs. “Fixed spike in blood sugar ranges may be extraordinarily dangerous for folks with diabetes or insulin resistance,” stated Dr Kovil.
Specialists emphasise decreasing consumption of each sorts of carbohydrates may be useful in numerous methods; it’s going to decrease blood stress, clear pores and skin, and enhance ldl cholesterol and coronary heart well being.Story continues beneath this advert
There are important well being dangers related to overindulging in each. “Since sugar encourages insulin resistance and fats buildup, it poses an elevated danger of weight problems, sort 2 diabetes, coronary heart illness, and dental cavities. Likewise, maltodextrin could end in gastrointestinal issues similar to gasoline and bloating along with weight achieve and elevated blood sugar. In accordance with sure research, maltodextrin can also alter intestine micro organism, which may have an effect on immunological and digestive system well being,” added Dr Kapoor.
Observe:
Prioritise your well being by “limiting processed or junk meals, which is jam-packed with preservatives, chemical compounds, and synthetic sweeteners. These can adversely hurt total well being”, stated Dr Kovil.
Bhui pressured on the necessity to test meals labels to make sure you aren’t consuming such harmful meals components.
