According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the number of adult diabetes patients worldwide continues to rise, and the risk of complications from the disease is also increasing. Ovulatory maltodextrin, developed in Japan to help manage diabetes, slows down the absorption of sugar in the small intestine, which in turn prevents blood sugar spikes. Foods based on this ingredient have shown positive effects on blood sugar management, offering a new alternative for diabetics around the world.
According to the 10th edition of the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) 2021 Diabetes Atlas, there are approximately 537 million adults aged 20-79 worldwide with diabetes, or about 10.5% of the total adult population. This trend is expected to continue, reaching about 643 million (11.3%) by 2030 and about 783 million (12.2%) by 2045. Diabetes is more than just a problem with blood sugar levels; it can lead to serious complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease, which can lead to death. In particular, about 30-40% of people with diabetes are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). For this reason, diabetes has been called a scourge of humanity that goes beyond an individual health problem and puts a huge burden on a country’s healthcare finances. If left unmanaged, the various complications caused by the imbalance in glucose absorption can lead to fatal health problems.
What makes diabetes so scary is that the excess glucose in the blood gradually damages the walls of blood vessels and triggers a chronic inflammatory response throughout the body. When blood sugar remains high, the blood becomes sticky and slows blood flow, and blood vessels gradually become stiff and damaged. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes, nervous system, and other organs with many small blood vessels. Diabetes can lead to impaired vision, decreased kidney function, and even amputation of toes and fingers due to insufficient blood supply. With the increased risk of these complications, the importance of controlling blood sugar has become increasingly important. As a result, many people recognize the importance of understanding and preventing diabetes and are making efforts to improve their lifestyle, especially through healthy eating and regular exercise.
Diabetes is often referred to as a “rich man’s disease” caused by excessive nutrition. In the past, when fatty foods were not readily available, diabetes was primarily a disease of the aristocracy, and there are historical records of diabetes among the French aristocracy and royalty. In fact, King Cheoljong and King Sejong the Great of Korea are also known to have suffered from diabetes. In modern times, however, this trend is changing, and westernized diets and unbalanced lifestyles are now considered to be the main causes of diabetes. The consumption of fatty and sugary foods and a lack of physical activity are the main factors that increase the risk of elevated blood sugar and diabetes.
So, how does diabetes happen? When we eat, food is broken down into glucose through the digestive process. When this glucose is absorbed into the blood, it enters the cells with the help of a hormone called insulin and is used for energy. However, when blood sugar becomes too high due to excessive consumption or lack of exercise, the pancreas tries to deal with this by secreting large amounts of insulin, but if the overload persists, the body gradually becomes insulin resistant, making it difficult to control blood sugar. In this case, the remaining glucose in the blood remains in a high-glycemic state, putting pressure on blood vessels and organs and leading to various complications.
Ovarian maltodextrin is a new alternative to diabetes management. Ovulatory maltodextrin is a non-digestible ingredient that helps to moderate blood sugar spikes because it is difficult to digest. It was developed by a Japanese food manufacturer by extracting it from corn starch. Corn contains water, sugars, minerals, and fiber, and ovulatory maltodextrin is a type of fiber. The researchers developed a patented process after years of research to extract tiny amounts of the ovuliferous component from hundreds of ears of corn, and found that the isolated maltodextrin was effective in lowering blood sugar. Because it is a food ingredient, it has fewer side effects and is safe to use, so it is used as a dietary supplement in many countries around the world.
One of the main functions of ovulatory maltodextrin is to reduce the spike in blood sugar levels after a meal. When we eat, glucose is usually absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, but ovarian maltodextrin delays this absorption process, preventing blood sugar spikes. This is because ovulatory maltodextrin is difficult to absorb in the small intestine, especially since the digestive enzyme amylase is unable to break it down, making it effective at controlling blood sugar. In fact, a study by Mizushima et al. (2000) observed a decrease in fasting blood glucose levels in 10 men with mildly elevated blood glucose levels after 12 weeks of consumption of a beverage containing ovarian maltodextrin. In addition, studies by Kawasaki (2000) and Sekizaki (2001) found that postprandial blood glucose elevations were suppressed, suggesting that it may have a positive effect not only on diabetics but also on people with impaired glucose tolerance.
Products containing ovarian maltodextrin are also gaining attention, especially in Korea. Developed in Japan, ovarian-digestible maltodextrin was certified as a functional food ingredient for lowering blood sugar by the Korean Food and Drug Administration in 2005. Accordingly, Korea’s food company CJ CheilJedang launched a blood sugar-controlling instant rice based on this substance in August 2013. The instant rice is made by coating white rice with ovulatory maltodextrin, which is expected to have a better blood sugar control effect than regular rice. This can be especially helpful for people who need to manage their blood sugar, giving them an option to eat healthy while still enjoying a delicious meal.
Ovulinized maltodextrin is now a useful alternative not only for people with diabetes, but also for anyone looking to manage their blood sugar in a healthy way. Consuming foods with this substance has a positive impact on blood sugar management, as blood sugar spikes are suppressed and the balance of glucose and insulin in the body is maintained. These technological advances offer new hope for people with diabetes, and the variety of foods that utilize ovarian maltodextrin is gradually spreading to a wider market.
