One of the most basic and most common molecules in nature is glucose, a sugar. Imagine glucose being a bead, like those beads you can put together with a string. Plants can take glucose molecules and link them together in different ways. One possible product is called cellulose, which is what gives structure to plants. Or it can join the glucoses in a different way to make a different type of string called starches, which plants use for energy storage. So in plants you can find glucose by itself, or in a string of two (called maltose), or in a string of 3 to 20 (more or less) glucoses, which is called a maltodextrin, or in strings longer than 20 glucoses, which is called a starch. So in a nutshell, maltodextrin is nothing more than a short starch.
The particular type of maltodextrin used in the new Juice Plus+ Chewables, Fibersol-2, is classified as a digestive-resistant maltodextrin and is the main source of fiber for the product. Maltodextrin is a perfectly safe ingredient when it is from a good source. We chose this one because it is digestion-resistant, and that is the definition of food fiber, a carbohydrate that is digestion resistant. We had many customers ask us to put some fiber in the Chewables, so Fibersol-2 plays a role in flavor, in texture, and also as fiber, it is ideal for this application.
Best regards,
Carlos F. Madero, Ph.D.
Director, Technical Support
NSA, the maker of Juice Plus+
140 Crescent Drive
Collierville, TN 38017