The #1 Most DAMAGING Carb on Earth (Is NOT Sugar)
In a Nutshell
Maltodextrin, the most damaging carb (GI 136-180, worse than glucose), is misclassified as a zero-sugar complex carb from processed corn starch, spiking blood sugar faster than sugar, destroying gut mucus to enable bacterial overgrowth (e.g., E. coli in Crohn's, Salmonella), causing fatty liver, weight gain, and depleting B1 thiamine reserves leading to fatigue, neuropathy, and anxiety. Found hidden in 60% of processed foods like protein powders, infant formula, electrolyte mixes, and meds; cousins include corn syrup solids, modified food starch, and even "resistant maltodextrin" lacking independent safety data. Avoid by reading labels for maltodextrin/modified starch (ignore "no sugar" claims) and using an iodine test—starch turns it blue/purple—to detect hidden carbs in supplements/foods.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
The most damaging carb on planet Earth is not sugar. In many situations, it's advertised as zero sugar, so it's healthy. It's in 60% of foods without awareness. Maltodextrin is classified not as a sugar, but acts more like a sugar than sugar. Apple on glycemic index: 36. Table sugar: 65. Glucose: 100. Maltodextrin on glycemic index: starts at 136, up to 180. This shows how fast blood sugar spikes.
Not classified as sugar because sugar has one or two sugar units. With a third sugar unit, up to 17, it's called a complex carbohydrate, aka starch. Starch is made of sugar but not called sugar; classified as zero sugar, but instantly turns into sugar and spikes blood sugar super fast. Maltodextrin starts with corn starch, add enzymes, acids, and chemicals.
Found in infant formula, protein shakes, weight gain formulas. Blood sugar spike is one bad effect; more to come.
Regular starch: corn, potato, rice. Industrial starches add chemicals, heat, enzymes to manipulate into something different from natural starch. Used as filler to bulk up products.
Corn syrup solids: maltodextrin cut into smaller chunks, fits sugar category as corn syrup or corn syrup solids (shorter glucose units).
Modified food starch: uses more chemicals to break down vs. enzymes and acids. Modified cornstarch, tapioca starch create similar effect.
Resistant maltodextrin: start with maltodextrin, process more to make bonds that resist breaking down in body; claimed not to spike blood sugar, but more to the story.
In sugar-free drink mixes, protein powders, protein bars, electrolyte powders, fillers in medications, salad dressings, instant soups, seasoning packets.
Dr. Berg supplements on Amazon.
Spikes blood sugar, creates fatty liver, causes weight gain. Destroys gut mucus layer in intestines with trillions of friendly and unfriendly bacteria.
Cleveland Clinic study: feeding animals maltodextrin produces much less mucus; wall thins, causing microbial encroachment. Bacteria move from outside to inside.
Strain of E. coli in Crohn's disease. Cleveland Clinic study: maltodextrin flips genetic switch for bacteria to grow pili (arm-like structures) to grab gut wall, build protective fortress immune system can't find. Glucose doesn't; maltodextrin does.
Study: maltodextrin supports Salmonella colonization. Small amounts consistently cause gut inflammation. Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) via industry loophole without independent studies.
Consuming sugar, refined carbs, maltodextrin eats up B1 (thiamine) reserves. Body stores 25-30 mg B1. Run out, no energy production; engine bogs down. Can't relax, lower stress tolerance, restless legs.
US paramedics protocol: 100 mg B1 before glucose for malnourished patients (RDA 1.2-1.5 mg).
Diabetics suffer severe B1 deficiency, causing peripheral neuropathy in toes. Antidote: higher doses of fat-soluble B1, benfotiamine, penetrates myelin to heal nerves.
B1 lack affects heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, anxiety, gut problems. Root cause leads to symptom-treating medications.
Detect B1 deficiency: nervousness, anxiety, air hunger.
Resistant maltodextrin in Fibersol 2 (Japanese company). Studies show beneficial, no problems; all funded by company partnering with big company. FDA classifies as fiber. No independent research. No tests with other ingredients, as foods have multiples.
Increase awareness of industrial starch. Read ingredients for maltodextrin, modified food starch. Don't trust 'no sugar' label.
Test detects carbohydrates like maltodextrin (hidden carb, really sugar) in supplements/food.
Iodine + starch turns blue.
- Water + iodine: golden yellow, no blue.
- Bread + iodine: turns blue.
- Pure maltodextrin in water + iodine: blue/purple.
- Electrolyte powder in water + iodine: no purple, no maltodextrin.
For healthiest foods, watch related video.
Keep Dr. Eric Berg DC in your library
Save the videos and channels worth coming back to, and find them again in one place.
