What Is Maltodextrin: Safety, Uses, and Risks

This food additive is similar to sugar but somewhat controversial

Maltodextrin is a plant-based white powder made from corn, potato, rice, wheat, or tapioca. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally recognizes maltodextrin as safe and is widely used as a filler, preservative, or thickener in foods and beverages. Maltodextrin may benefit some people but may cause undesirable health effects in others.

This article explains what maltodextrin is, how it's used, and how it can affect your body.

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Maltodextrin is a highly processed carbohydrate extracted from corn, potato starch, rice, wheat, or tapioca. The starch in these plants is broken down with hydrolysis, a process in which enzymes are broken down using water.

Although maltodextrin and sucrose (table sugar) are both carbohydrates, they differ. Unlike sucrose, maltodextrin is not sweet. Both table sugar and maltodextrin contain four calories per gram.

Maltodextrin can be used instead of sugar because the two share similar properties. It can dissolve in water and create a sticky substance, so it's used as a replacement in some foods to reduce sweetness. However, it has a higher glycemic index than table sugar, meaning it will have a more significant effect on raising blood sugar levels.

The glycemic index is a ranking system for how different carbohydrates affect blood sugars. It can help people with type 2 diabetes manage their glucose levels by eating foods that don't cause large spikes in their blood sugar.

Maltodextrin can be found in processed foods like:

Maltodextrin is also found in sugar substitutes like Splenda. Since low- and no-calorie sweeteners like sucralose (Splenda), aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal), and acesulfame potassium (Sunett, Sweet One) are chemically altered to be hundreds of times sweeter than natural sugar, you need much less to create the same sweetness.

Therefore, maltodextrin is added to certain food products to "bulk," or increase, the volume to mimic that of table sugar. Maltodextrin may also be found in processed foods labeled "low-sugar" or "sugar-free."

Maltodextrin is widely used in food processing since its an inexpensive additive.

A food additive is a substance included in food during production, processing, treatment, packaging, transportation, or storage.

Food additives like maltodextrin help preserve food's taste, appearance, and texture. Maltodextrin is also used to thicken or bulk food.

Processed foods may use "high-intensity" sweeteners (artificial sugars) that replace sucrose or table sugar. These artificial sugars like Splenda provide sweetness with fewer calories. Maltodextrin is a bulking agent used to replace the properties of the missing sugar.

Maltodextrin helps preserve food and extend shelf life by maintaining moisture levels. It doesn't absorb much moisture and acts as an anticaking agent in foods like baked goods to retain moisture and prevent them from hardening over time. It also controls the growth of ice crystals in frozen dairy foods.

Maltodextrin acts as a thickener in processed foods. It can easily dissolve, spread, bind, and carry other flavors. It's added to foods like salad dressings and sauces to create a thick consistency.

Maltodextrin is also used in the following ways:

People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can consume products with maltodextrin. This is because even though it may come from wheat, it is a by-product of wheat. It doesn't contain gluten and is considered safe for individuals who must follow a gluten-free diet.

Maltodextrin is safe to eat. However, there are some caveats for people with diabetes or gut inflammation. Some initial studies have indicated that maltodextrin may impact gut health, gut microbiota (microorganisms that live in the gut), and the central nervous system; however, more research is needed.

Maltodextrin can raise blood sugar levels. It has a glycemic index higher than table sugar, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Someone with diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance (when cells don't respond well to the hormone insulin and can't take glucose up from your blood), may want to limit their intake and monitor their blood sugar levels.

Some studies have shown that maltodextrin can affect the intestine and microbiota. However, these studies are primarily done in mice, meaning results may not be the same in humans.

One study found that maltodextrin consumption promotes inflammation in the intestine and may be a risk factor for chronic inflammatory diseases. It also found that mice that consumed it had a breakdown in the protective mucus layer of their intestines.

Another study found that mice prone to developing Crohn's disease that consumed Splenda (which contains maltodextrin) showed changes in their intestinal microbiota and were more likely to develop Crohn's-type diseases.

One study found that maltodextrin in Splenda changed the mice's neuronal (brain cell) activity, impacting parts of the brain responsible for food intake, preferences, obesity, and energy balance.

The researchers concluded that more studies are needed to understand how the consumption of Splenda can affect food preferences and choices. This study was done on mice, so it's limited in providing insight into how Splenda may affect the human nervous system.

Maltodextrin is generally recognized as safe, but if it causes stomach issues or if you suffer from intestinal inflammation, limiting maltodextrin intake may help you manage symptoms. People with diabetes or insulin resistance should also limit their intake to control their blood sugar levels.

Food manufacturers are required to list all ingredients on food labels. Maltodextrin will be listed in the ingredients list of a product. Foods that contain artificial sweeteners, like Splenda, will likely contain maltodextrin or another additive to add bulk or volume. Foods that are low-sugar or no-sugar, may also contain maltodextrin.

Avoiding products labeled "no-sugar" or "low-sugar" and artificial sweeteners may reduce your intake of maltodextrin. Alternatives to maltodextrin are foods that contain common sweeteners like table sugar, honey, maple syrup, or fruit juice concentrate. However, people with diabetes may still experience a spike in their blood sugar levels when consuming this ingredient.

An alternative to artificial sweeteners containing maltodextrin includes sugar alcohols (a type of carbohydrate that acts as a sweetener) like:

Some sugar alcohols, like erythritol, don't contain any calories or spike blood sugar. They are safe to consume but can cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea and should be used in moderation.

Maltodextrin is an additive used as a preservative, thickener, and bulking agent. It is derived from corn, potato, rice, wheat, or tapioca starches. Although the FDA generally recognizes maltodextrin as safe, it raises blood sugar levels, and some studies link it to intestinal inflammation. Individuals at risk for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, IBS, or diabetes can limit their consumption to minimize symptoms or adverse effects.

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By Rebecca Valdez, MS, RDNRebecca Valdez is a registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition communications consultant, passionate about food justice, equity, and sustainability.