We often believe that Maida-based foods and white rice are bad carbohydrates, but this is not true. There is something that is far worse than these and strangely does not come under notice too much. This is nothing but a starch called ‘industrial starch’.
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Experts reveal that modern packaged foods are filled with ingredients most consumers hardly notice, which are known as industrial carbohydrates. These carbohydrate additives are used to improve taste, texture, shelf life, and stability of processed and packaged foods. This is referred to as fake starch that is made in huge quantities in factories and labs, and its increasing usage in the food industry has raised worries about long-term health impacts.
Read this article to know more about what industrial carbohydrates are, why they pose health risks, how they affect the body, and how to identify them in our daily foods.
Also Read: What Happens To The Body When You Stop Eating Carbohydrates?
What Are Industrial Carbohydrates?
Starch is basically a chain of sugar molecules connected; industrial carbohydrates are heavily processed or chemically modified carbohydrates mixed with foods during manufacturing. They are not just simple sugars, but comprise a broad spectrum of sweeteners, thickeners, stabilisers and filler components obtained from corn, wheat, potatoes, rice or other starch resources.
Common Types Include:
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
Maltodextrin
Dextrose
Corn syrup solids
Modified food starch
Glucose syrup
Inulin and synthetic fibers (e.g., polydextrose)
Caramel colour (made from sugar intermediates)
Sugar alcohols (e.g., sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol)
Resistant starches are used as fillers
These are quite popular among food manufacturers, because they are readily available, cheap, easy to use and promote the product's texture and shelf life.
Why Are Industrial Carbohydrates Added to Foods?
Industrial carbohydrates offer a magnitude of benefits and functions in food industries:
Sweeteners like HFCS, glucose syrup, and dextrose are added to foods to enhance taste and more addictive.
Maltodextrin and modified starches create a favourable environment and a creamy texture and consistency in sauces, soups, and desserts.
These carbohydrates help preserve moisture, prevent spoilage, and improve the stability of ingredients in packaged foods.
They are cheaper than natural ingredients like honey, fruit purées, or whole grains.
Synthetic fibers and sugar alcohols are often used in "low-calorie" or "sugar-free" foods that add volume and bulk to the foods.
Remember, convenience, ease of usage and taste always come at a cost, especially for long-term health.
Also Read: The Role Of Carbohydrates In Insulin Resistance: Top 5 Foods That Can Prevent Diabetes
Hidden Health Risks of Industrial Carbohydrates
Industrial carbohydrates impact the human body differently from natural and whole-food source carbohydrates. These are typically absorbed quickly, high glycemic load, are chemically altered, and are totally lacking in nutrients or fiber. Some of the major health concerns:
Spike Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels
Highly processed forms of carbohydrates, like maltodextrin and glucose syrup, have an extremely high glycemic index, often higher than table sugar. The health impacts of having these foods on a regular diet include
Sudden blood sugar surges
Increased insulin need
Higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Sudden blood sugar crashes, which increase cravings, leading to overeating and weight gain.
Promotes Fat Storage
HFCS and similar sweeteners in processed foods bypass normal glucose regulation pathways, leading to:
Increased fat production in the liver
Belly fat build-up
Higher risk of metabolic syndrome
Increases Inflammation
Many industrial carbohydrates trigger inflammation in the system due to their rapid absorption rate and alter gut microbiota balance. Additionally, chemical byproducts made during processing lead to chronic inflammation, which is associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, obesity, autoimmune disorder and hormonal imbalances.
Poor Gut Health
Additives like maltodextrin and modified starch alter the intestinal environment and gut balance; these effects lessen beneficial gut bacteria production, increase gut permeability ("leaky gut") and higher the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
The liver's main function is to process fructose-based sweeteners like HFCS. However, excess intake leads to accumulation of fat in the liver, inflammation of healthy liver cells and a higher risk of developing NAFLD.
Hidden Calories/ Overconsumption
Many industrial carbohydrates are added to foods where sugar is not really included or expected, such as:
Sauces
Soups
Snacks
Yogurt
This makes people unknowingly consume these foods in large amounts, which increases sugar and calorie consumption.
How to Detect Industrial Carbohydrates in Daily Foods?
Read Ingredient Lists Carefully
Look for the following names in the food labels such as:
Sweeteners
High-fructose corn syrup
Glucose syrup
Fructose syrup
Corn syrup solids
Invert sugar
Malt syrup
Thickeners & Stabilizers
Modified food starch (corn/wheat/tapioca/potato)
Maltodextrin
Dextrin
Hydrolyzed starch
Artificial fibers and fillers
Polydextrose
Resistant maltodextrin
Inulin (industrial version)
Watch for Marketing Traps
Companies often hide industrial carbs behind healthy-sounding terms like”
“Low-fat”
“Sugar-free”
“Energy bar”
“Fortified”
“Zero trans fat”
“Source of fiber”
Often, these products rely heavily on industrial carbs to improve their taste and texture.
Check the Nutrition Label for:
Even if the ingredient list doesn't say “sugar,” sweeteners may still be present under other names and are high in simple sugars. Whole foods contain natural fiber. Industrial carbs do not, and they are low in fiber. More additives usually mean more industrial carbohydrates.
Industrial carbs are ubiquitous in packaged snacks and chips, ready-to-eat meals and breakfast cereals, flavoured yogurt, energy drinks, protein bars, instant soups and noodles, ketchup, sauces and dressing.
Healthier Alternatives
Go for whole foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and minimally processed foods that offer natural, slow-digesting carbohydrates and prevent weight gain.
Making freshly cooked food at home helps you control the ingredients and restrict the use of hidden additives.
Choose products with short ingredient lists, which means that they contain fewer additives and fewer industrial carbs.
Replace sweetened beverages with plain water, herbal teas or natural fruit-infused drinks.
Switch to water, herbal teas, or natural fruit-infused water.
Look for 100% whole grain versions of bread, breakfast cereals and pasta, without added syrups or fillers.
Conclusion
Industrial carbohydrates are commonly used in modern foods, but they often go unnoticed. Though they make processed foods more convenient and affordable, they also pose hidden risks such as blood sugar spikes, inflammation, weight gain, gut imbalance, and metabolic disorders. By being mindful of your eating habits and staying well-informed about food choices, you can protect your health in the long run.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9505863/
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