Polydextrose——Common But Extraordinary

There is such a dietary fiber, which is so common that it can be said to be close to the people, and it is also a frequent visitor in the recipe table, so that most people think it is a sweet sugar similar to sucrose, but it silently improves the health of the public. This time, let us get to know the dietary fiber "polydextrose" that is friendly to the people.

1. Application of polydextrose.

Polydextrose, also known as polydextrin, is a random polycondensate of D-glucose, mainly composed of 1,6-glycosidic bonds, with an average molecular weight of about 3200Da.

Polydextrose is widely used in various food processing. The polydextrose used in the market is a glucose product that is mixed with glucose, sorbitol, citric acid or phosphoric acid in a certain proportion, polymerized and refined by heating at high temperature, and neutralized and decolorized. get.

In food processing, because of its special physical properties, polydextrose can not only be used as dietary fiber, but also as thickener, leavening agent, moisture retention agent and stabilizer.

Food Thickener

The viscosity of polydextrose solution decreases with the increase of temperature and increases with the increase of concentration, which is similar to sucrose. At the same concentration, the viscosity of polydextrose solution is slightly higher than that of sucrose, which can be used as a food thickener.

Food Stabilizer

Polydextrose can be stored stably for 90 days below 60°C, and does not react with acid and alkali at a high temperature of 200°C. It has certain hygroscopicity in humid conditions and can be used as a food stabilizer.

Food Meal Function

Polydextrose is a new type of water-soluble dietary fiber. So far, more than 50 countries have approved its use as a healthy food ingredient. It is widely used in the manufacture of fiber-enhanced foods. After eating, it has the function of keeping the stomach smooth and activating the intestinal flora.

2. Polydextrose Standard.

There is a national food safety standard GB25541-2010, which is used to specify the processing and testing standards of polydextrose. There is a national food safety standard GB2760-2011, which is used to specify the use standard of polydextrose in food additives: polydextrose can be used for modulation of milk, flavored fermented milk, frozen drinks, cocoa products, chocolate and chocolate products, candies, baked goods, meat enemas, mayonnaise, salad dressing, beverages, and jelly products, and the maximum usage is in moderation according to production needs. There is a national food safety standard GB14880-2012, which is used to specify the use standard of polydextrose in food nutrition fortifiers: polydextrose can be used in infant formula food, and the maximum usage amount is 15.6g/Kg-31.25g/Kg.

3. The efficacy of polydextrose.

Polydextrose as a food additive is only its sideline business. What it is really good at is regulating the intestinal flora and improving the intestinal environment.

Polydextrose relieves constipation

In 36 healthy men, the polydextrose diet group (20g/d dose) was compared with the normal diet group. Each treatment period was 10 days, with a 2-week washout period. The results showed that the wet weight of feces in the polydextrose group was higher than that in the normal diet group, and the smoothness of defecation was significantly improved (but some people tend to feel flatulence in the abdomen).

Polydextrose improves blood indicators

A study by Scientific Reports divided mice into 2 groups: fed normal diet plus 75mg polydextrose, or only normal diet, 2 times/day, lasting for 14 days. The results showed that the experimental group containing polydextrose was able to significantly reduce the food intake, fasting plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol of the mice. This indicator shows that polydextrose can change the intestinal absorption of fat by changing the intestinal flora.

Polydextrose promotes mineral absorption

As the concentration of polydextrose increased at 0-100mmol/L, the calcium absorption in the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and large intestine of mice showed an increasing trend. Adding polydextrose to the diet can promote the absorption of calcium in the intestine, because polydextrose is fermented in the intestine to produce short-chain fatty acids, which acidifies the intestinal environment, and the acidified environment increases calcium absorption.

The figure that can be seen everywhere shows its safety and efficacy, and we should not ignore this magical food master.