There are so many vitamin and mineral supplements out there that you can hardly know where to begin, and even narrowing it down to just the carbohydrate ones barely makes it any easier. So what is actually in these supplements, and what do they do to benefit your wellbeing?
Firstly, dextrose is simply glucose (the simplest form of carbohydrate) and 70-80% as sweet as sugar. You can use this monosaccharide for energy or to refuel after a workout, which many athletes have done for years. Dextrose mixes easily with water, and is available as a flavoured or unflavoured powder to be added to drinks.
Next, maltodextrin, or multidextrose or glucose polymer powder, is a synthetic polysaccharide, which means it is a complex carbohydrate. This supplement is usually produced from corn starch, with the glucose polymers coming in various lengths, and the fine white powder is relatively bland. Many sports people use maltodextrin to help meet the high-energy demands of intense exercise, because its chemical structure is open to rapid breakdown, which means it is digested and absorbed very rapidly. It is commonly a primary ingredient in weight gain formulas.
You’ll find the fructose monosaccharide in most fruits and in honey, and your body absorbs it slowly despite the fact that it is a simple carbohydrate. It comes in the form of a coarse granular powder with a sweet taste that mixes very well in water, and is often used as a sweetener because it is sweeter than table sugar, so you need less of it and don’t waste calories. As a carbohydrate supplement, the wellness benefit of fructose is that it provokes an insulin response a lot less than dextrose or maltodextrin.
Activated barley is a source of pre-sprouted grain carbohydrate, which is digested slowly. It also contains high levels of beta-glucan, which is a soluble fibre that could benefit your wellness in terms of lowering your cholesterol and enhancing your immune system. The slowly-digested gelatinous medium that the fibre forms creates a stable, steady release of energy and nutrients, including high levels of antioxidants and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
As you can see, you are spoilt for choice with carbohydrate supplements, and this list is certainly not extensive. Look online for more information and remember to always consult a doctor and/or a dietician before you start taking any new vitamin, mineral or supplement.
Comments are closed.