Maltodextrin

maltodextrin is a type of complex carbohydrate that is produced from starch, typically from sources like corn, rice, or potatoes. It undergoes partial hydrolysis, which breaks the starch down into shorter chains of glucose molecules, resulting in a powder that's easily digestible and quickly absorbed by the body. Maltodextrin is commonly used as a food additive for several purposes. It acts as a thickener, filler, or preservative in processed foods. Because it has a neutral taste, it’s often added to products like snacks, sauces, energy drinks, and even supplements. Additionally, its ability to quickly provide energy makes it popular in sports and performance nutrition products. Despite being derived from starch, maltodextrin behaves somewhat like sugar in the body, though it is technically a complex carbohydrate.