Health Benefits of Resistant Dextrin

In recent years, researchers have proved through animal experiments and clinical trials that resistant dextrin has functions such as weight loss, blood fat reduction, blood sugar reduction, and intestinal flora regulation.

Obesity is an independent risk factor for metabolic syndrome such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. So it is very important to curb obesity. Numerous studies have found that ingesting resistant dextrin has a better effect on weight loss. The resistant dextrin enters the large intestine to promote the fermentation of intestinal microorganisms, and the fermentation products are short-chain fatty acids such as acetic acid and propionic acid. Animal model experiments have shown that short-chain fatty acids can induce the release of anorexia hormones such as glucagon-like peptide, tyrosine peptide and leptin by activating FFAR2 and FFAR3, which can promote the body to produce a sense of satiety and control appetite and energy intake, inhibition of adipocyte synthesis to improve weight management.

Resistant dextrin can significantly reduce serum triglycerides and total cholesterol, and can effectively improve blood lipid indicators. Furthermore, supplementation with resistant amylin can improve cardiometabolic risk factors in women with type 2 diabetes. Many studies have shown that resistant dextrin can reduce blood lipid levels, so patients with hyperlipidemia can adjust blood lipid levels by taking an appropriate amount of resistant dextrin to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

In recent years, the incidence of diabetes and its complications has increased year by year, which not only reduces the quality of life of patients but also brings financial burdens to families. Resistant dextrin can significantly reduce fasting insulin and steady-state model insulin resistance index by changing intestinal hormone secretion or reducing metabolic endotoxemia, and then improve insulin resistance in women with type 2 diabetes. Resistant dextrin can improve the sensitivity of terminal tissues to insulin, inhibit the absorption and digestion of carbohydrates, etc., so as to achieve the purpose of lowering blood sugar.

Studies have shown that resistant dextrin with good processing properties can be added to food to exert its excellent ability to promote mineral absorption. After weaning, the bifidobacteria in babies' body decreased rapidly, resulting in diarrhea, anorexia, growth retardation, and reduced nutrient utilization. Therefore, adding resistant dextrin to infant formula milk powder can promote the absorption of calcium, iron, zinc and other trace elements, and improve the utilization rate of nutrients.

Resistant dextrin can act as a prebiotic to provide health for humans. Studies have confirmed that prebiotics can reduce inflammatory cytokines and increase anti-inflammatory factors in female patients with type 2 diabetes. A researcher conducted a test in 135 patients with colorectal cancer surgery, and 30g of prebiotic supplements containing 25% resistant dextrin were taken orally every day for 7 days before surgery. The results show that preoperative and postoperative interventions have a positive impact on the immune status of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

Resistant dextrin lowers the pH value by selectively stimulating the growth of bifidobacteria and other short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria in the coliform, increases the production of beneficial microorganisms and reduces the production of harmful microorganisms, so as to improve the breeding environment of beneficial microorganisms. The short-chain fatty acids produced by the fermentation of resistant dextrin in the large intestine can effectively reduce the incidence of constipation and prevent colon cancer and rectal cancer.

Resistant dextrin is more widely used than other functional sugar extraction raw materials, and is easy to absorb and has low viscosity. Its health effects, mechanism of action, and application in health foods and formula foods for special medical purposes are worthy of further exploration.