Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Exploring the Metabolic Implications of Dextrin and Maltodextrin on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Insulin Resistance: A Systematic Analysis (Part 1)

Hassan Darwish, George Twaddle, Aaron Widmoyer, Una Gibbons, Maimouna Al Mahrizi, Hiba Al Lawati

Biotechnology Journal International · pp. 39–44 · Published 19 May 2024

10.9734/bji/2024/v28i3722

Abstract

Aim: This study evaluates the effects of dextrin and maltodextrin on insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Background: Dextrin and maltodextrin are dietary fibers with known benefits for modulating blood glucose levels and insulin responses. Their use in dietary management to improve glucose and lipid profiles has been explored, yet there remains a lack of comprehensive reviews that summarize their impacts specifically on insulin resistance and T2DM. This paper seeks to fill that gap by providing an overview of the existing research on these compounds. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, examining the influence of dextrin and maltodextrin on insulin resistance and T2DM. Relevant studies were sourced from databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with the literature search extending up to December 2023. Only human subjects were considered, allowing for a focused examination of the effects. Results: Thirty studies were included in the review. Findings showed that resistant dextrin notably enhances insulin sensitivity and beneficially alters serum lipid profiles in individuals with T2DM. The data on maltodextrin, however, was more variable; while some studies suggested it might worsen glycemic control, others did not corroborate this effect. This indicates the complexity of its actions and the variability among subjects. Conclusion: The review confirms that resistant dextrin has positive impacts on insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, likely through the modulation of gut microbiota. On the other hand, the evidence on maltodextrin points to a need for cautious use in populations at risk for or managing T2DM. Future work, including Part 2 of this series, will employ direct HPLC analysis to further investigate the biochemical interactions and mechanisms by which these dietary fibers influence T2DM, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of their role in dietary management of this condition.

Metabolic implications insulin resistance dextrin maltodextrin type 2 diabetes mellitus

References (21)

  1. 1 Global aetiology and epidemiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications [DOI]
  2. 2 Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: updating the concept of prebiotics [DOI]
  3. 3 Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits [DOI]
  4. 4 Health benefits of dietary fiber [DOI]
  5. 5 Functional food. Product development, marketing and consumer acceptance—A review [DOI]
  6. 6 A prospective study of dietary glycemic load, carbohydrate intake, and risk of coronary heart disease in US women [DOI]
  7. 7 Responses of Gut Microbiota and Glucose and Lipid Metabolism to Prebiotics in Genetic Obese and Diet-Induced Leptin-Resistant Mice [DOI]
  8. 8 The Role of the Gut Microbiota in Energy Metabolism and Metabolic Disease [DOI]
  9. 9 Metabolic Effects of Dietary Fiber Consumption and Prevention of Diabetes [DOI]
  10. 10 Dietary fiber, inulin, and oligofructose: A review comparing their physiological effects [DOI]
  11. 11 Role of polysaccharides in food, digestion, and health [DOI]
  12. 12 Carbohydrate terminology and classification [DOI]
  13. 13 Understanding the Physics of Functional Fibers in the Gastrointestinal Tract: An Evidence-Based Approach to Resolving Enduring Misconceptions about Insoluble and Soluble Fiber [DOI]
  14. 14 CODEX-aligned dietary fiber definitions help to bridge the ‘fiber gap’ [DOI]
  15. 15 Whole-grain wheat consumption reduces inflammation in a randomized controlled trial on overweight and obese subjects with unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors: role of polyphenols bound to cereal dietary fiber [DOI]
  16. 16 Health effects of resistant starch [DOI]
  17. 17 Position of the American Dietetic Association: Functional Foods [DOI]
  18. 18 Physical and chemical transformations of cereal food during oral digestion in human subjects [DOI]
  19. 19 Resistant dextrin, as a prebiotic, improves insulin resistance and inflammation in women with type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled clinical trial [DOI]
  20. 20 Resistant dextrin improves high-fat-high-fructose diet induced insulin resistance [DOI]
  21. 21 Carbohydrate quality and human health: a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses [DOI]

Cited by 1

Effects of a slowly fermentable fiber mixture against the background of a high-protein diet on insulin sensitivity and metabolic health in individuals with overweight: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Colin A. J. van Kalkeren, Thirza van Deuren, Miranda Coenjaerds · Gut microbes · 2025

Related research

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

51

Page views

0

PDF downloads

8

Outbound clicks

1

Citations

Views over time

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.