Polydextrose

[biogeek]

This post is to address some questions about Polydextrose raised by Chicklady. Feel free to add to the dialog or ask more questions. I tried to put the chemistry aspect in layman's terms, but I may have over-looked something. If so, give me a shout out.

Polydextrose

What is it? It is a synthetic additive made from glucose (a basic form of sugar that is used within our bodies). Basically, it’s whole bunch of glucose molecules that are mixed with sorbitol (a sugar alcohol) and some citric acid (think of the tangy goodness from oranges, lemons, and limes) add heat and a partial vacuum (think “pressure cooker”). Voila! Poly-D.

What’s it for? Mostly it is used a bulking agent and also can be used to sweeten certain food when it is paired with sorbitol with little impact on blood sugar. It is very low in calories, but like all foods/drinks/medications/vitamins, it can either affect you in a positive way (woo hoo! This that’s great without any side-effects!) or in a negative way (Rats! This stuff causes me to have cravings! –or- I have a headache. Maybe it’s this artificial ingredient?).

Since it’s mostly used as a bulking agent, you feel fuller after you’ve eaten something with it, whether is tastes sweet or not. Poly-D alone is not that sweet, so it be added to savory food items. The increase of sweetness will come from adding more sorbitol or some other sugar alcohol.

From the studies I’ve read, poly-D passes right through the small intestines with no digestion or absorption. In the large intestine, it acts like dietary fiber (softens stools, increased fecal bulk, and so forth). Other good things-- since it behaves like fiber and hangs around in the large intestines for a bit, it helps our good bacterial flora and reduces the not-so-good flora.

Like all things, moderation is key. You *can* get abdominal cramping if you consume too much (just think of when you eat too much fiber when you're not used to it!), and *especially* if it has extra sorbitol or other sugar alcohols for sweetness. For some, too much sugar alcohols means extra trips to the bathroom as they have a laxative effect.

If you have further questions or want to read a selection of journal articles yourself, please let me know.

[Razzle39]

Hey Biogeek,
Great information. I appreciate the time you spent on it. I always wondered what Poly-D was and you unraveled the mystery.

[Chicklady]

Thanks Bio! Yeah, I was wondering 1) how chemical it is (doesn't seem too bad) and 2) why pretty much internationally it has been called a fiber.
I'm one of the lucky who have positive affects from it, but, call me paranoid, I always question man-made food