Maltodextrin Side Effects

Maltodextrin is a filler / thickener with 2 high-severity side effects. Found in 82 products in our database. FDA GRAS.

5
Known Side Effects
82
Products Contain It
2
High Severity
4
Safer Alternatives

What Is Maltodextrin?

Maltodextrin is a highly processed starch used as a filler and thickener in thousands of products. Despite being marketed as a carbohydrate, it has a higher glycemic index than table sugar and may promote harmful gut bacteria.

Also known as:
Corn maltodextrinWheat maltodextrinModified starch

Known Side Effects

High Risk Very high glycemic index (GI 85-105)
High Risk Blood sugar spikes
Moderate Gut microbiome disruption
Moderate May promote growth of harmful bacteria (E. coli)
Low Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA Status

FDA GRAS. Extremely widely used as filler, thickener, and carrier in processed foods.

🇪🇺 EU Status

Legal. No restrictions in the EU.

Scientific References

  1. Nickerson et al. (2015) — maltodextrin promotes E. coli adhesion in the gut
  2. Studies on high glycemic impact of maltodextrin
  3. Research on maltodextrin and Crohn's disease risk

Products Containing Maltodextrin (82 found)

These products were found to contain maltodextrin or its variants in our database of 26,000+ grocery products.

#ProductBrandScore
1ULTIMATE MEAT MILD ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PREMIUM SLICED PEPPERONI, SEASONED BEEF CRUMBLES, SLICED BEEF STEAK, AND SMOKY BACON TRADITIONAL CRUST MEDIUM PIZZA, ULTIMATE MEATWal-Mart Stores, Inc.2/100
2equate antacidUnknown4/100
3Fit&active multigrain breadFit & Active5/100
4MAX PROTEIN NUTRITION SHAKE, MILK CHOCOLATEAbbott Laboratories Inc 7/100
5Chicken Flavored Pasta & SauceGreat Value13/100
6Livegfree deluxe rice shells & cheeseLiveGfree14/100
7Equate Antacid TabletsUnknown16/100
8Bold & Zesty PretzelsClancy's23/100
9Calcium, Magnesium & Zinc Plus Vitamin D3 Dietary SupplementWalmart, Spring Valley24/100
10PEPPERONI FRENCH BREAD TOPPED WITH PIZZA SAUCE, MOZZARELLA CHEESE FRENCH BREAD SINGLES PIZZAS, PEPPERONIThe Schwan Food Company24/100
11Instant Oatmeal Fruit & Cream Flavor Variety PackGreat Value24/100
12EGG, SAUSAGE, CHEESE & POTATO BURRITOS, EGG, SAUSAGE, CHEESE & POTATOEL MONTEREY24/100
13Chicken Pot PieKirkland24/100
14SPARKLING WATERCostco Companies Inc.24/100
15plant-based protein supplementEquate24/100

Safer Alternatives to Maltodextrin

Tapioca starchArrowroot powderPectinAcacia fiber
📬

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of maltodextrin?
Maltodextrin has a very high glycemic index (85-105), causes blood sugar spikes, may disrupt gut bacteria, and has been shown to promote E. coli adhesion in the gut.
Is maltodextrin bad for diabetics?
Yes — maltodextrin has a higher glycemic index than table sugar (GI 85-105 vs. 65). It causes rapid blood sugar spikes and should be avoided by people managing diabetes.

⚕️ Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Side effect data is compiled from published scientific studies and regulatory assessments. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance. Last updated: 2026-03-05.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Maltodextrin Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/side-effects/maltodextrin
MLA"Maltodextrin Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/side-effects/maltodextrin.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/side-effects/maltodextrin">Maltodextrin Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026sideeffectsmaltodextrin, title = {Maltodextrin Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/side-effects/maltodextrin}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }