Maltodextrin
Also known as: corn maltodextrin, tapioca maltodextrin, glucose polymer, MDX, rice maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a partially hydrolyzed starch consisting of short glucose chains, characterized by a dextrose-equivalent (DE) value that indicates how far the starch has been broken down. It tastes only mildly sweet, dissolves easily, and is rapidly digested to glucose, which makes it the default carbohydrate in sports drinks, mass gainers, and recovery formulas. It also serves as a bulking agent and flow aid in many powders. It is dosed in grams and is the comparator carbohydrate in most trials of newer sports carbohydrates.
Research summary
Hydrolyzed by brush-border enzymes to glucose and absorbed via SGLT1; oxidation rates match glucose at equal intakes.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 g | 15–30 g | 75 g | — |
Dosed in grams per serving. A cycling trial used 75 g maltodextrin taken 45 minutes before exercise as the comparator arm (basis for dose_max_studied); carbohydrate guidance during prolonged exercise is up to about 60 g/h from a single glucose-based source. Typically mixed at 6-8% in water; higher concentrations slow gastric emptying.
Standardization: Declare DE value (commonly DE 10-20) and starch source (corn, tapioca, rice)
Source material: enzymatically hydrolyzed corn or tapioca starch, spray-dried
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Powder only at these gram doses. Low-DE grades are less hygroscopic than dextrose and flow well; also used at small amounts as a carrier or bulking agent in capsule blends.
Formulation notes
Counts as total carbohydrate, not added sugar, but has a high glycemic response similar to glucose. Corn-derived grades are common; wheat-derived maltodextrin exists in some markets and would require wheat allergen labeling.
Sources
Related ingredients
Dextrose
OtherDextrose is crystalline D-glucose, usually produced by hydrolyzing corn starch.
Typical: 10–30 g
Cluster Dextrin (Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin)
OtherHighly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD) is a glucose polymer made by acting on amylopectin with a branching enzyme, producing large cyclic molecules with a narrow molecular-weight distribution.
Typical: 15–30 g
Caffeine Anhydrous
Sports performancePurified, dehydrated caffeine — the standard stimulant in pre-workouts, energy, and focus products.
Typical: 100–200 mg
Beta-Alanine
Sports performanceA non-essential amino acid that combines with histidine to form carnosine, the main intramuscular buffer of hydrogen ions during intense exercise.
Typical: 3.2–6.4 g
L-Citrulline
Sports performanceA non-protein amino acid that the kidneys convert to arginine, raising plasma arginine more efficiently than oral arginine itself.
Typical: 6–8 g