What is Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin?
A common cousin of maltodextrin being more widely used in sports nutrition products is called Cluster Dextrin (brand name) or Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin (generic name).
Sources and Manufacturing
Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin is manufactured by Glico Nutrition in Japan and has been sold since 2002. It is derived from amylopectin via an enzyme [1,4-α-D-glucan 6-α-D-(1,4-α-D-glucano)-transferase] that allows the formation of Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin's complex cyclic structure. Unlike other carbohydrate sources like maltodextrin that are manufactured by various companies, Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin is only sourced by Glico due to the unique manufacturing process.
Qualities
Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin has the advantage of being less sweet than typical maltodextrins and also contains more glucose units per molecule of Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin. This allows Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin to have much lower osmolality compared to maltodextrin, which may have implications for improving gastric emptying times.
However, Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin can be more difficult to dissolve in solution compared to a maltodextrin with low dextrose equivalent or other more simple carbohydrates such as sucrose, dextrose, and fructose. Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin also has a lower glycemic index compared to maltodextrin meaning that it is more slowly absorbed into the blood from the GI tract.
Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin can also be used in certain foods to help reduce sour and bitter tastes, thus improving the overall flavor profile of a consumable product.
Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin in Carbs Fuel Products
Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin is used in the Sports Drink Mix as one of the four select types of carbohydrates. Through extensive testing, the use of Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin was found to improve the flavor profile and overall mouth feel of the Sport Drink Mix. Additionally, as a more complex carbohydrate source (compared to sucrose, fructose, and the type of maltodextrin used in the Sports Drink Mix), Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin is more slowly absorbed by the GI, which balances the more fast absorbing carbohydrates that are sucrose, maltodextrin, and fructose. This theoretically balances the energy provision profile of the drink mix.
