EXPLORING AN INGREDIENT FOUND IN PROCESSED FOODS THAT CAN HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS
Understanding the harmful ingredients in processed foods is crucial for maintaining good health. If you've been struggling to lose weight, this particular ingredient could be the hidden culprit you need to keep an eye out for.
by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP
Reviewing the labels of foods my patients share with me has shown that more and more food labels are including the carb ingredient maltodextrin.
If there had to be one food that is detrimental to your health maltodextrin would be high on the list.
Most people are simply unaware that this dangerous food may lead to increased belly fat, diabetes, disrupts gut health leading to gut inflammation, significant bloating and gas and increased cholesterol posing an increased cardiovascular risk.
What is maltodextrin?
Maltodextrin is a highly processed, plant-based substance usually made from corn, but rice, potato, wheat or tapioca can also be used.
What Is Maltodextrin Used For?
Food manufacturers add maltodextrin to a wide-range of processed foods such as artificial sweeteners, baked goods, yogurt, beer, nutrition bars, weight-training supplements, cereals, meal-replacement shakes, low-fat and reduced-calorie products, condiments, sauces, spice mixes, salad dressings, chips, pie fillings and snack foods to improve consistency, texture and taste.
Five Dangers of Consuming Maltodextrin
1: Maltodextrin Spikes Blood Sugar Levels
Maltodextrin is a type of carbohydrate that gets easily absorbed and gets into the bloodstream quickly.
Because maltodextrin is so quickly absorbed it can dangerously spike blood sugar levels. This can be especially problematic for people diabetes mellitus.
Glycemic Index Shock
Maltodextrin scores between 110 to 136 on the glycemic index making it 1.6 to 2 times higher than white table sugar and glucose making it a major concern for blood sugar spikes.
If you're trying to manage your blood sugar levels, foods containing maltodextrin are not your best choice.
A sudden spike in blood glucose can cause potentially serious issues for people with diabetes or insulin resistance and can be life-threatening for those with uncontrolled diabetes.
2: Negatively Impacts Gut Bacteria
Research suggests that people who consume maltodextrin may have a reduced number of good bacteria and an increased quantity of harmful bacteria. This could potentially lead to gastroenteritis, intestine damage and a higher risk of broad range chronic inflammatory conditions.
Studies have shown that maltodextrin increases the activity of Escherichia coli bacteria, which may have a role in the development of the inflammatory bowel disease known as Crohn's disease.
A study conducted at the Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center in Boston also indicates that maltodextrin impairs cellular antibacterial responses and suppresses intestinal antimicrobial defense mechanisms, leading to inflammatory bowel disease.
3: Maltodextrin and Allergies or Intolerances
Maltodextrin is know to contribute allergic reactions, weight gain, gas, flatulence, and bloating.
Maltodextrin may also cause a rash or skin irritation, asthma, cramping, or difficulty breathing.
4: Maltodextrin Linked to Autoimmune Diseases
A 2012 study found that maltodextrin increased bacterial adhesion to human intestinal epithelial cells and enhanced E. coli adhesion, which is associated with autoimmune disorders.
5: Made From Genetically Modified Corn
According to research published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, genetically modified foods have shown that they may toxically affect several bodily organs and systems, including the pancreatic, renal, reproductive and immunologic parameters. Because corn maltodextrin is made by processing corn with enzymes and the United States Department of Agriculture found that 85 percent of corn planted in the U.S. is genetically modified to be tolerant to herbicides, it's most likely that the maltodextrin you eat is a genetically modified food.
Better Substitutes for Maltodextrin
- Pectin comes from fruits, seeds, and vegetables
- Stevia, derived from the leaf of the stevia plant
- Dates that provide copper, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and iron
- Raw Organic Honey
- Guar gum that works as a thickening agent and slows down glucose absorption
Dr. Grisanti's Comments
Although maltodextrin is deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the truth is that maltodextrin can be considered a metabolism death food — it has no nutritional value, and there are some pretty scary maltodextrin dangers to consider before opening up a bag of chips or baked goods, such as spiking blood sugar and the other dangers listed above.
My strong advice is to do your due diligence and check the nutrition labels on the packaged foods you have in your refrigerator, freezer and cupboard. There's a good chance the ingredients list includes maltodextrin.
Do not eat any foods with maltodextrin listed as one of the ingredients.
It is simply NOT worth the risk.
Always remember one of my mantras, "The more you know about how your body works, the better you can take care of yourself."
For more details about the natural approach I take with my patients, take a look at the book I wrote entitled: Reclaim Your Life; Your Guide To Revealing Your Body's Life-Changing Secrets For Renewed Health. It is available in my office or at Amazon and many other book outlets. If you found value in this article, please use the social sharing icons at the top of this post and please share with those you know who are still suffering with chronic health challenges, despite receiving medical management. Help me reach more people so they may regain their zest for living! Thank you!
ALL THE BEST – DR. KARL R.O.S. JOHNSON, DC – DIGGING DEEPER TO FIND SOLUTIONS
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4940893/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6409436/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4615306/
https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/read-your-food-labels-watch-out-maltodextrin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25000398/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188/full
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352345X18301218
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369223/
** Always consult with a physician or healthcare practitioner with significant integrative or functional medicine training before starting any of the above recommendations.
You can find a qualified and certified functional medicine practitioner by going to: www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com
The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com for more information on our training in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP) www.functionalmedicinedoctors.com. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Grisanti is required
