Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Side Effects of Maltodextrin Sucralose

Candy sweetened with sucralose and maltodextrin can affect your blood sugar.
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Sucralose and malodextrin are artificial sweeteners often used together as sugar substitutes in processed and prepared foods. Even though it is a natural substance that comes from sugar, sucralose is a processed sweetener. Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate made from corn, potato or rice starch. It's used as a thickener in the processing of food products to increase the volume.

Uses
Sucralose and maltodextrin are used to reduce the number of calories you get in a variety of products, from chewing gum to soda pop and canned fruit. It's a popular and attractive alternative to regular sugar because it provides sweetness in only a fraction of the amount you need to get the same taste from regular sugar. It's inexpensive to process and can help you lose weight.

Safety
In general, sugar substitutes are considered safe, according to the Mayo Clinic. When used in moderate amounts, even pregnant women are safe using products made with sucralose. As a filler, maltodextrin is an all-natural ingredient that is easily digestible and has the same amount of calories as sugar carbohydrates, about four calories per gram.

Blood Sugar
Maltodextrin affects blood sugar in the same way other carbs do, especially when consumed in large amounts. Sucralose on the other hand, does not affect blood sugar levels and is considered a "free food" for diabetics, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's the combination that may cause spikes in insulin because maltodextrin is a carbohydrate with a high glycemic index, similar to table sugar and should be used in moderation if you have diabetes or hypoglycemia. You must consider the carbohydrate content of products sweetened with added maltodextrin to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

False Security
When you eat sweets, regardless of the source of the sweetness, your brain elicits neurotransmitters similar to those secreted when you eat pure sugar. As a result, you may continue to incur cravings and an increased appetite for the substance even though you're consuming calorie-free versions of the food. Additionally, according to Bauman College, you may be lulled into thinking the food you're eating is healthy because of its low sugar content when in actuality, you are consuming large amounts of refined and processed carbohydrates in the maltodextrin fillers, refined flour and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils used in the manufacturing process. Both psychologically and physically, you actually may be sabotaging any weight loss efforts by substituting real sugar with so-called healthy alternatives.

References


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