The performance and health benefits of polydextrose

Polydextrose is a water-soluble dietary fiber in the form of white or off-white solid particles. It is easily soluble in water with a solubility of 70%. The pH value of 10% aqueous solution is 2.5-7.0. It has no special smell and is a health-care functional product. The food component can supplement the water-soluble dietary fiber needed by the human body.

Polydextrose is a D-glucose polymer made from glucose, sorbitol and citric acid as raw materials, heated to a molten mixture in a specific ratio, and then condensed under vacuum. Polydextrose is a random condensation polymer of D-glucose, mainly composed of 1,6-glucosidic bonds, with an average molecular weight of about 3,200 and a limit molecular weight of less than 22,000.

Its physical and chemical properties mainly include: good moisturizing, high stability, freezing point correction, etc.

Functional properties mainly include: low calorie, regulating intestinal balance, reducing triglycerides and cholesterol, promoting calcium and magnesium absorption, improving immunity and anti-caries, etc.

Due to ion exchange and colloid formation, polydextrose can reduce the body's absorption of toxic and carcinogenic substances, regulate cholesterol levels, reduce intestinal β-glucose and glycosidase activity, and eliminate the causes of vascular sclerosis, etc.

Polydextrose can be used as a nutritional fortifier in food additives. It is an important raw material used to make low-calorie, low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-sodium healthy foods. It is also one of the choices for diabetic patients who need sugar.

Health benefits of polydextrose

①It has extremely low calories and can rarely be converted into fat and will not cause obesity.

②Adjust gastrointestinal function and promote the absorption of nutrients

③Prebiotics that regulate the balance of intestinal flora

④Reduce blood sugar response

⑤Promote the absorption of mineral elements

Applications of polydextrose in the food industry

1. Polydextrose can significantly promote the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria in yogurt, change the tissue state of the product, improve the milk flavor, promote the proliferation of bifidobacteria, supplement the nutritional and health care functions of yogurt, and improve the quality of yogurt.

2. It is widely used in beverage products, including solid beverages, with no bad taste, good color and transparency, and can enhance the taste of sugar-free or low-sugar beverages.

3. Using polydextrose in functional ice cream will reduce the calories of the ice cream without affecting the taste and quality evaluation.

4. Because polydextrose has a low caloric value, it can be used to produce low-energy, slimming and weight-loss health foods or functional drinks, targeting beauty lovers or young women.

5. Polydextrose is a good ingredient for sugar-free candies and is well tolerated. High water solubility and high viscosity ensure good chewiness of candies, are non-cariogenic and are suitable for teeth health. Candies with added polydextrose can also enhance fiber/prebiotics/reduce sucrose, and can also reduce calories or lower total blood sugar.

To ensure the compliant use of food additives, food production companies should comply with GB 2760-2014 "National Food Safety Standard for the Use of Food Additives", which stipulates the principles for the use of food additives, the types of food additives allowed to be used, the scope of use and the maximum use amount or residual amount.