Dextrin cluster

Cluster dextrin is a special form of cyclic dextrin that is primarily used in sports supplements and is characterized by a high molecular weight and low osmolality.

What are cyclic dextrins

Cyclic dextrins is the name for a specific group of carbohydrates that basically consist of six to eight dextrose (glucose) molecules that are chemically linked together in the form of a ring. From a chemical point of view, cyclic dextrins do not differ too much from maltodextrin in terms of their chemical components. In maltodextrin, however, the molecules are arranged linearly and not as a ring. The ring structure is what gives cluster dextrin some advantages not found in maltodextrin or other carbohydrates.

Where do cyclic dextrins come from?

Cyclic dextrins can be produced in nature by bacterial degradation of carbohydrates. However, they can also be produced synthetically from starch using a series of enzymes. The resulting products can then be purified and used for various purposes.

What are the benefits of cluster dextrin?

Any serious athlete knows how important carbohydrates are. They are the body's primary source of energy, are needed to replenish muscle glycogen stores and are essential for optimal performance. However, carbohydrates behave very differently depending on their properties. When cluster dextrin is consumed, it behaves in different ways to promote training performance.

Cluster dextrin is more soluble and more easily absorbed by the body than virtually any other carbohydrate source. Compared to other types of high-glycemic carbohydrates such as maltodextrin and dextrose, cluster dextrin is considered vastly superior because it produces sustained high energy levels without excessive spikes in blood glucose and/or insulin levels.

Cluster dextrin has a high molecular weight and low osmolarity, which helps to speed up gastric transit (3). This basically means that cluster dextrin remains in the stomach for significantly less time than other carbohydrate sources and is absorbed faster in the intestine and transported to the muscles. In addition, this means that cluster dextrin is less likely to cause stomach problems such as bloating, burping or flatulence compared to traditional carbohydrate sources (Takii et al, 2005).

Early studies investigating the benefits of cluster dextrin in relation to exercise were conducted with mice. It was shown that when highly branched cluster dextrin was fed to mice, it increased swimming endurance compared to water or a glucose solution (Takii et al, 1999). In addition, there was a lower maximum increase in blood glucose levels, indicating a delayed release of energy.

The authors of this study later confirmed their results with human subjects, in whom similar positive results were observed (Takii et al, 2004).

What are cluster dextrin and other carbohydrates used for during exercise?

Simple carbohydrates such as waxy maize starch, maltodextrin and dextrose are typically used as exercise supplements, although they are not the optimal choice for use during exercise. These carbohydrates usually have a high osmolarity, which stimulates the osmoreceptors (receptors located in the small intestine that estimate the contents of the stomach or food density and control the rate of gastric emptying) to delay gastric emptying.

Carbohydrates such as simple sugars are usually absorbed in the small intestine and anything that delays their entry into the small intestine will cause a delay in insulin secretion and transport of nutrients to the muscles.

In the case of a pre- and intra-workout diet, apart from carbohydrates, the transport of other compounds such as creatine, beta-alanine and amino acids to the muscles is also delayed. This is where Cluster Dextrin, with its higher molecular weight and reduced osmolarity, comes into play. Due to its unique branched structure, Cluster Dextrin can be absorbed extremely quickly and transported to the muscles. And the faster the carbohydrates and amino acids reach the muscles, the better the workout will be and the faster recovery will take place.

Cluster Dextrin is essentially a supplement designed to provide a steady release of energy over a longer period of time, allowing the exerciser to train longer before fatigue sets in. While all forms of carbohydrates provide energy, Cluster Dextrin is different than many other carbohydrates due to its unique molecular structure and releases its energy gradually into the bloodstream, helping to keep blood sugar and insulin levels under control.

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is not only important for athletic performance, but also for health. Stable blood sugar levels and a constant energy supply not only enable the body to perform efficiently, but also to stay healthier, more active and more productive.

How is Cluster Dextrin different from other forms of carbohydrate?

Typically, carbohydrate supplements attract a lot of water and when large amounts of these carbohydrates are consumed in a short period of time, they can pass through the small intestine too quickly without the glucose being absorbed. When these carbohydrates reach the large intestine, they draw water into the intestine, which is excreted too quickly. This is known as osmotic diarrhea - something you don't really want - especially during exercise.

Due to its special structure, Cluster Dextrin is very soluble in water despite its rapid digestion and absorption, which means that it draws less water and does not cause digestive problems such as diarrhea.

Can Cluster Dextrin increase energy levels?

There are always days when you feel tired all the time and just can't motivate yourself to do anything. If you go to the gym in this state, working out can become quite difficult. In this situation, consuming Cluster Dextrin can be beneficial and provide the body with a steady supply of carbohydrates to ensure energy levels remain high during exercise.

Can Cluster Dextrin help stabilize blood sugar levels?

Consuming large amounts of simple carbohydrates can lead to large fluctuations in blood glucose levels, which in turn can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and reduce the body's insulin sensitivity. Cluster Dextrin, on the other hand, provides a steady, stable supply of carbohydrates, which helps to keep blood sugar and insulin levels stable and under control.

Can Cluster Dextrin help prevent digestive problems during exercise?

A study published in the journal Food Science and Technology Research showed that subjects who consumed a Cluster Dextrin-based sports drink did not experience digestive problems such as belching or bloating during a cycling workout and were able to exercise without fatigue.

What other benefits does Cluster Dextrin have for athletes?

• It is an excellent source of energy that can boost athletic performance.
• It supports faster recovery after exercise.
• It can help to increase strength and muscle mass.
• It is highly soluble and promotes increased absorption and transportation of nutrients.
• It helps to increase endurance and stamina, while it can reduce muscle soreness after exercise.
• It supports a sustained increase in blood glucose levels during exercise.

Is Cluster Dextrin suitable for everyone?

Cluster Dextrin is suitable for athletes who want to improve their endurance performance or post-workout recovery. It is intended for anyone who puts their body under a lot of performance stress.

When consumed during training, Cluster Dextrin helps to increase endurance performance and reduce perceived exertion. As a post-workout supplement, Cluster Dextrin quickly replenishes glycogen stores so that you can recover faster and better for the next training session. It can be combined with a protein supplement to increase the uptake of amino acids into the muscles, which helps to improve recovery.

Does Cluster Dextrin have any disadvantages or side effects?

Cyclic dextrins do not cause an extreme spike in insulin levels after consumption. This means that if you are looking for a rapid burst of quick energy or want to use the sharp rise in insulin levels for anabolic purposes, cluster dextrins are not the right carbohydrate for this use.

There are no concerns about the safety of Cluster Dextrin. This form of dextrin is used in many pharmaceuticals as an excipient for encapsulation and has dozens of other applications. There is no need to worry about side effects, especially when you consider that Cluster Dextrin is better tolerated than simple glucose solutions when used as a carbohydrate source.

How should Cluster Dextrin be taken?

As far as the dosage of cyclic dextrins is concerned, this is in the same range as for other carbohydrates. Studies conducted with cyclic dextrins used beverages consisting of 10% cyclic dextrins. For most people, the carbohydrate content of the daily diet should be 60% and cyclic dextrins can be used to provide some of this carbohydrate.

As with other carbohydrates, timing your intake of cyclic dextrins is quite important. For best results, cyclic dextrins can be consumed before training along with a pre-workout shake to maintain energy levels during training and/or to promote recovery after training.

Due to its rapid absorption and excellent gastric tolerance, cluster dextrin is considered by many athletes to be superior to traditional carbohydrate sources used for this purpose, such as maltodextrin, dextrose and waxy maize starch, when taken during training.

Recommended intake is at least 25 grams of cluster dextrin for every hour of training. Other recommendations are 30 grams about half an hour before training and 30 to 90 grams during and after training to increase training energy and speed up recovery

Although cyclic dextrins are carbohydrates that pass through the stomach quickly, the slow release of carbohydrates may make cyclic dextrins an unsuitable carbohydrate source if you are aiming for a sharp rise in insulin levels.

Can Cluster Dextrin be combined with other supplements?

Cluster Dextrin can be combined with other, simpler carbohydrates such as dextrose to provide a wide range of different absorption times, as well as a quick onset and long-lasting energy boost. Of course, it can also be combined with protein to support muscle building, repair and recovery.

References

1. Takii et al (1999), Enhancement of Swimming Endurance in Mice by Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 63:2045-2052
2. Takii et al (2004), A Sports Drink Based on Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin Generates Few Gastrointestinal Disorders in Untrained Men during Bicycle Exercise. Food Sci Technol Res, 10: 428-431
3. Takii et al (2005), Fluids containing a highly branched cyclic dextrin influence the gastric emptying rate. Int J Sports Med, 26:314-319