Maltodextrin VeganVegetarian

Maltodextrin Information

Maltodextrin is a sugar called a polysaccharide, it is therefore surprising that it is classified as a ‘complex’ carbohydrate. It is manufactured from starch and gets its name due to its formation from dextrose polymers of different lengths. Unlike dextrose, it does not taste sweet.

Where to find Maltodextrin: Maltodextrin is not naturally occurring, it is generally manufactured from rice, corn or potato starches. It is widely found in many ‘off the shelf’ weight gain formulations, meal replacements and protein powders. It is also used as a ‘filler’ in capsulated products due to its ease of use and fairly neutral taste.

Maltodextrin can also be referred to as: D-Maltodextrin, Maltodextrose, Glucose Polymers, Dextrose Polymers.

Why use Maltodextrin?

Although Maltodextrin is technically a complex carbohydrate, it still has a high Glycemic Index (GI) value. In essence this means that it is absorbed into the bloodstream quickly and creates an ‘Insulin Spike’. This insulin spike is useful for shuttling important nutrients such as Creatine, Amino Acids and Protein to the muscle cells where they can be utilised. Dextrose however has a higher GI value, meaning it is absorbed even faster, so to this extent is preferred over Maltodextrin as both a pre-exercise and post-exercise carbohydrate source. Nevertheless recent studies have suggested that a combination of Maltodextrin and Dextrose combined with a quality Whey Protein or Whey Protein Isolate, would be the ideal post-exercise beverage.

The main benefit of Maltodextrin is its use as a weight-gain tool, hence why you will find it as one of the main ingredients in ‘off the shelf’ weight gain formulations. Although it is a high GI carbohydrate, the GI scale is only relevant to ingredients tested in isolation. When combined with other nutrients such as protein and fats, the GI of Maltodextrin reduces significantly, meaning that the insulin spike takes place over a longer period of time. In essence, the inclusion of Maltodextrin in weight gain formulas allows the important nutrients such as protein to be delivered to muscle cells gradually rather than all at once.

Creating your own weight-gainer is the best and most cost-effective way of gaining weight. If you plan to do this then make sure BulkPowders.co.uk Maltodextrin is included. It is a great source of calories, digests easily and mixes instantly.

HEALTH BENEFITS

There are no real health benefits related to Maltodextrin supplementation. It is a sugar, so for the non-athlete there is no reason for taking Maltodextrin on a daily basis.