In this podcast, we’re going to talk about the worst ingredient found in many protein powders: maltodextrin.

This dangerous ingredient increases acne, bloating, gut inflammation, mental irritability, anxiety, and insomnia. It’s highly addictive because it increases dopamine.

Maltodextrin promotes acid in your mouth, which increases cavities, and it spikes blood sugar more than sugar! If you consume it repeatedly, it can cause belly fat, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and other health problems.

Maltodextrin is often one of the first ingredients in many protein powder products, which means it makes up most of the product. It’s made of inedible dent corn that’s ground and treated with chemicals. It’s typically heated, pressure-treated, decolorized, and deodorized.

After this process, you’re left with maltodextrin powder, which can then be used as a filler to add bulk to different products. Consuming maltodextrin powder has no benefit. It’s classified as a carbohydrate but acts as a sugar in the body.

The glycemic index tells you how much an ingredient will spike your blood sugar. Maltodextrin has a glycemic index between 105 and 185, which is higher than glucose and table sugar!

Many protein powders contain 50 grams of whey protein per serving combined with 253 grams of carbohydrates from maltodextrin. Your need for many vitamins and minerals increases when you consume this many carbs.

Ultra-processed foods like maltodextrin cause oxidation and inflammation in the body. Maltodextrin also causes significant insulin and blood sugar spikes. It may cause you to wake up groggy and have low blood sugar the day after consuming it. This will cause you to want more, creating a vicious cycle that eventually leads to insulin resistance.

To build muscle, you need exercise and protein, not high doses of refined sugar!