What Is Maltedexatrin

[Guest barbara3675]

I see this ingredient in things, but I think it does not contain barley, am I right. I am sensitive to barley, bigtime. Got some fudge that had isomalt as the first ingredient once before going gluten-free and it gave me the worst case of uncontrollable diarreah imaginable. I thought at the time that it was the fact that it was sugar-free, but recently when I went back, I asked to check the ingredient guide and there it was as the FIRST ingredient....what ever isomalt is, I suspect barley in some form. I run in the other direction when I see that. However, I do see maltodexitrin in things, but I think it doesn't have barley. I need to know. I was wondering if one of our whiz kids, like celiac3270 of Kaiti would know.

Barbara

[KaitiUSA]

Maltodextrin in the US is safe unless stated on the label...everyone in the US must follow this on labeling..not just certain companies. It is usually made from corn but if not they must label it

It's different with medications though..then you have to call and confirm.

[celiac3270]

Yep...gluten-free. Maltodextrin is gluten-free in the US unless it is stated on the label that it contains wheat, etc. Maltodextrin is NOT automatically okay in prescriptions.

[skbird]

Isomalt, I believe, doesn't actually have barley in it (exception to the "malt" rule) but is a sugar alcohol, like xylitol, sorbitol, and malitol. All of them are guilty of causing diahrrea in suceptable individuals - in fact sorbitol (made of fruit sugar) is often in laxative remedies. They are all used by people on low carb diets as sugar replacements as your body doesn't typically break them down as sugar. The reason for the diahrrea (also gas, bloating, etc) are because the bacteria in your gut DOES break them down and cause all those symptoms. Some of the sugar alcohols (also known as polyols - they don't contain alcohol at all) cause stronger symptoms than others. Erythritol is known for causing the least gastro distress and is finding its way into more treats lately - Stonyford Farms is using it in its reduced sugar smoothy and carb friendly yogurt (better than splenda or nutra sweet which are totally artificial). Xylitol is often in toothpaste as it kills germs in your mouth. It is also common in gum, they use it in Trident, for example.

I'm guessing that you are more sensitive to polyols than other people or it's the amount of the isomalt in the product you consumed. I get bad gas with malitol but I have not yet had diahrrea. Gas is unpleasant enough! I do use xylitol in cooking, it has a slightly minty taste but is fine other than that.

Stephanie

[lovegrov]

Stephanie is right, isomalt might not agree with you, but it does not have barley. Neither does maltodextrin (it also doesn't have dextrin).

richard