Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMaltodextrin in Processed FoodWhat Is Maltodextrin Used For?When Is It Unsafe?Common Alternatives to Maltodextrin
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Maltodextrin in Processed Food
What Is Maltodextrin Used For?
When Is It Unsafe?
Common Alternatives to Maltodextrin
Maltodextrinis a plant-based white powder made from corn, potato, rice, wheat, or tapioca. It is widely used as a filler, preservative, and thickener in foods and beverages.
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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 withhydrolysis, 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.
What Is the Glycemic Index?
Maltodextrin can be found inprocessed foodslike:
Maltodextrin is also found insugar substituteslike Splenda. Sincelow- and no-calorie sweetenerslike sucralose (Splenda),aspartame(NutraSweet, Equal), andacesulfame 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” (increase) the volume to mimic that of table sugar.Maltodextrin may also be found in processed foods labeled “low-sugar” or “sugar-free.”
What Are Food Additives?A food additive is a substance included in food during production, processing, treatment, packaging, transportation, or storage.
What Are Food Additives?
A food additive is a substance included in food during production, processing, treatment, packaging, transportation, or storage.
Maltodextrin is widely used in food processing since it is an inexpensiveadditive.
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:
Maltodextrin and Gluten Allergy
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 thegut), and the central nervous system; however, more research is needed.
Diabetes
Maltodextrin can raise blood sugar levels. You may want to limit your intake of maltodextrin and monitor your blood sugar levels if you havediabetes,prediabetes, or insulin resistance (when cells don’t respond well to the hormone insulin and glucose builds up in your blood).
Maltodextrin has a glycemic index higher than table sugar, causing blood sugar levels to rise.Signs of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) to watch for include:
Foods that contain artificial sweeteners, like Splenda, will likely have maltodextrin or another additive in the product ingredients list. Foods that are low-sugar or no-sugar, may also contain maltodextrin.
Gut Health
Some studies have shown that maltodextrin can affect the intestine and microbiota, such as a 2022 study that identified damage to the intestinal mucus layer. However, these studies are primarily done in mice, meaning results may not be the same in humans.
Maltodextrin may promote intestinal inflammation and may be a risk factor for chronic inflammatory diseases.Research suggests maltodextrin may causedysbiosis(disrupt the healthy gut balance) with changes that include:
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 developCrohn’s-type diseases.
Nervous System
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.
Alternatives to maltodextrin are foods that contain common sweeteners like table sugar, honey, maple syrup, or fruit juice concentrate. They can still lead to a blood sugar spike.
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.
Summary
Maltodextrin is anadditiveused 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 forinflammatory bowel disease(IBD) (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerativecolitis),irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), or diabetes can limit their consumption to minimize symptoms or adverse effects.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.Hofman DL, van Buul VJ, Brouns FJPH.Nutrition, health, and regulatory aspects of digestible maltodextrins.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016;56(12):2091-2100. doi:10.1080/10408398.2014.940415Tiefenbacher KF.Chapter two - technology of main ingredients—Water and flours. In: Tiefenbacher KF, ed. Wafer and Waffle. Academic Press; 2017:15-121. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809438-9.00002-8Medline Plus.Glycemic index and diabetes.International Food Information Council.Nutrition 101 video series: The lowdown on low-calorie sweeteners.Food and Drug Administration.Overview of food ingredients, additives & colors.Zangara MT, Ponti AK, Miller ND, et al.Maltodextrin consumption impairs the intestinal mucus barrier and accelerates colitis through direct actions on the epithelium.Front Immunol. 2022;13:841188. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188International Food Information Council.The science of anti-caking agents.Gutowski ED, Weiten D, Green KH, et al.Can individuals with celiac disease identify gluten-free foods correctly?Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020;36:82-90. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.01.012Laudisi F, Di Fusco D, Dinallo V, et al.The food additive maltodextrin promotes endoplasmic reticulum stress-driven mucus depletion and exacerbates intestinal inflammation.Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;7(2):457-473. doi:10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.09.002MedlinePlus.Hyperglycemia.Zangara MT, Ponti AK, Miller ND, Engelhart MJ, Ahern PP, Sangwan N,et al.Maltodextrin consumption impairs the intestinal mucus barrier and accelerates colitis through direct actions on the epithelium.Front Immunol. 2022 Mar 14;13:841188. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188Laudisi F, Stolfi C, Monteleone G.Impact of Food Additives on Gut Homeostasis.Nutrients. 2019 Oct 1;11(10):2334. doi:10.3390/nu11102334Rodriguez-Palacios A, Harding A, Menghini P, et al.The artificial sweetener Splenda promotes gut proteobacteria, dysbiosis, and myeloperoxidase reactivity in Crohn’s Disease-like ileitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(5):1005-1020. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy060de-la-Cruz M, Millán-Aldaco D, Soriano-Nava DM, Drucker-Colín R, Murillo-Rodríguez E.The artificial sweetener Splenda intake promotes changes in expression of c-Fos and NeuN in hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats.Brain Res. 2018;1700:181-189. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.09.006Lenhart A, Chey WD.A systematic review of the effects of polyols on gastrointestinal health and irritable bowel syndrome.Adv Nutr. 2017;8(4):587-596. doi:10.3945/an.117.015560
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.Hofman DL, van Buul VJ, Brouns FJPH.Nutrition, health, and regulatory aspects of digestible maltodextrins.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016;56(12):2091-2100. doi:10.1080/10408398.2014.940415Tiefenbacher KF.Chapter two - technology of main ingredients—Water and flours. In: Tiefenbacher KF, ed. Wafer and Waffle. Academic Press; 2017:15-121. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809438-9.00002-8Medline Plus.Glycemic index and diabetes.International Food Information Council.Nutrition 101 video series: The lowdown on low-calorie sweeteners.Food and Drug Administration.Overview of food ingredients, additives & colors.Zangara MT, Ponti AK, Miller ND, et al.Maltodextrin consumption impairs the intestinal mucus barrier and accelerates colitis through direct actions on the epithelium.Front Immunol. 2022;13:841188. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188International Food Information Council.The science of anti-caking agents.Gutowski ED, Weiten D, Green KH, et al.Can individuals with celiac disease identify gluten-free foods correctly?Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020;36:82-90. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.01.012Laudisi F, Di Fusco D, Dinallo V, et al.The food additive maltodextrin promotes endoplasmic reticulum stress-driven mucus depletion and exacerbates intestinal inflammation.Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;7(2):457-473. doi:10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.09.002MedlinePlus.Hyperglycemia.Zangara MT, Ponti AK, Miller ND, Engelhart MJ, Ahern PP, Sangwan N,et al.Maltodextrin consumption impairs the intestinal mucus barrier and accelerates colitis through direct actions on the epithelium.Front Immunol. 2022 Mar 14;13:841188. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188Laudisi F, Stolfi C, Monteleone G.Impact of Food Additives on Gut Homeostasis.Nutrients. 2019 Oct 1;11(10):2334. doi:10.3390/nu11102334Rodriguez-Palacios A, Harding A, Menghini P, et al.The artificial sweetener Splenda promotes gut proteobacteria, dysbiosis, and myeloperoxidase reactivity in Crohn’s Disease-like ileitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(5):1005-1020. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy060de-la-Cruz M, Millán-Aldaco D, Soriano-Nava DM, Drucker-Colín R, Murillo-Rodríguez E.The artificial sweetener Splenda intake promotes changes in expression of c-Fos and NeuN in hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats.Brain Res. 2018;1700:181-189. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.09.006Lenhart A, Chey WD.A systematic review of the effects of polyols on gastrointestinal health and irritable bowel syndrome.Adv Nutr. 2017;8(4):587-596. doi:10.3945/an.117.015560
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.Hofman DL, van Buul VJ, Brouns FJPH.Nutrition, health, and regulatory aspects of digestible maltodextrins.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016;56(12):2091-2100. doi:10.1080/10408398.2014.940415Tiefenbacher KF.Chapter two - technology of main ingredients—Water and flours. In: Tiefenbacher KF, ed. Wafer and Waffle. Academic Press; 2017:15-121. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809438-9.00002-8Medline Plus.Glycemic index and diabetes.International Food Information Council.Nutrition 101 video series: The lowdown on low-calorie sweeteners.Food and Drug Administration.Overview of food ingredients, additives & colors.Zangara MT, Ponti AK, Miller ND, et al.Maltodextrin consumption impairs the intestinal mucus barrier and accelerates colitis through direct actions on the epithelium.Front Immunol. 2022;13:841188. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188International Food Information Council.The science of anti-caking agents.Gutowski ED, Weiten D, Green KH, et al.Can individuals with celiac disease identify gluten-free foods correctly?Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020;36:82-90. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.01.012Laudisi F, Di Fusco D, Dinallo V, et al.The food additive maltodextrin promotes endoplasmic reticulum stress-driven mucus depletion and exacerbates intestinal inflammation.Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;7(2):457-473. doi:10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.09.002MedlinePlus.Hyperglycemia.Zangara MT, Ponti AK, Miller ND, Engelhart MJ, Ahern PP, Sangwan N,et al.Maltodextrin consumption impairs the intestinal mucus barrier and accelerates colitis through direct actions on the epithelium.Front Immunol. 2022 Mar 14;13:841188. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188Laudisi F, Stolfi C, Monteleone G.Impact of Food Additives on Gut Homeostasis.Nutrients. 2019 Oct 1;11(10):2334. doi:10.3390/nu11102334Rodriguez-Palacios A, Harding A, Menghini P, et al.The artificial sweetener Splenda promotes gut proteobacteria, dysbiosis, and myeloperoxidase reactivity in Crohn’s Disease-like ileitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(5):1005-1020. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy060de-la-Cruz M, Millán-Aldaco D, Soriano-Nava DM, Drucker-Colín R, Murillo-Rodríguez E.The artificial sweetener Splenda intake promotes changes in expression of c-Fos and NeuN in hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats.Brain Res. 2018;1700:181-189. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.09.006Lenhart A, Chey WD.A systematic review of the effects of polyols on gastrointestinal health and irritable bowel syndrome.Adv Nutr. 2017;8(4):587-596. doi:10.3945/an.117.015560
Food and Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.
Hofman DL, van Buul VJ, Brouns FJPH.Nutrition, health, and regulatory aspects of digestible maltodextrins.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016;56(12):2091-2100. doi:10.1080/10408398.2014.940415
Tiefenbacher KF.Chapter two - technology of main ingredients—Water and flours. In: Tiefenbacher KF, ed. Wafer and Waffle. Academic Press; 2017:15-121. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809438-9.00002-8
Medline Plus.Glycemic index and diabetes.
International Food Information Council.Nutrition 101 video series: The lowdown on low-calorie sweeteners.
Food and Drug Administration.Overview of food ingredients, additives & colors.
Zangara MT, Ponti AK, Miller ND, et al.Maltodextrin consumption impairs the intestinal mucus barrier and accelerates colitis through direct actions on the epithelium.Front Immunol. 2022;13:841188. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188
International Food Information Council.The science of anti-caking agents.
Gutowski ED, Weiten D, Green KH, et al.Can individuals with celiac disease identify gluten-free foods correctly?Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020;36:82-90. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.01.012
Laudisi F, Di Fusco D, Dinallo V, et al.The food additive maltodextrin promotes endoplasmic reticulum stress-driven mucus depletion and exacerbates intestinal inflammation.Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;7(2):457-473. doi:10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.09.002
MedlinePlus.Hyperglycemia.
Zangara MT, Ponti AK, Miller ND, Engelhart MJ, Ahern PP, Sangwan N,et al.Maltodextrin consumption impairs the intestinal mucus barrier and accelerates colitis through direct actions on the epithelium.Front Immunol. 2022 Mar 14;13:841188. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.841188
Laudisi F, Stolfi C, Monteleone G.Impact of Food Additives on Gut Homeostasis.Nutrients. 2019 Oct 1;11(10):2334. doi:10.3390/nu11102334
Rodriguez-Palacios A, Harding A, Menghini P, et al.The artificial sweetener Splenda promotes gut proteobacteria, dysbiosis, and myeloperoxidase reactivity in Crohn’s Disease-like ileitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(5):1005-1020. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy060
de-la-Cruz M, Millán-Aldaco D, Soriano-Nava DM, Drucker-Colín R, Murillo-Rodríguez E.The artificial sweetener Splenda intake promotes changes in expression of c-Fos and NeuN in hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats.Brain Res. 2018;1700:181-189. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.09.006
Lenhart A, Chey WD.A systematic review of the effects of polyols on gastrointestinal health and irritable bowel syndrome.Adv Nutr. 2017;8(4):587-596. doi:10.3945/an.117.015560
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