Is dextrin a fiber?
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The answer is - sometimes.
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Dextrin is a broad term for carbohydrates comprised solely of glucose units. Maltodextrin refers more specifically to shorter chains - less than 20 glucose units in length. Dextrins and maltodextrins are manufactured by hydrolyzing grain starches; typically corn or wheat starch. The alpha linkages in dextrins are readily digested in the human gastrointestinal tract causing a quick surge in blood sugar.
Resistant maltodextrin (or resistant dextrin) differs in that it is resistant to digestion and does not raise blood sugar, i.e. it is a form of dietary fiber. It is produced by chemical processing to create non-digestible glucose linkages. There are several resistant maltodextrins available in the market; including Fibersol®, Promitor®, and Nutriose®. The FDA added resistant maltodextrin to the list of approved extrinsic dietary fibers in 2018.
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So, yes, a dextrin can be a fiber, but it can also refer to highly-digestible, high-glycemic carbohydrates. Further clarification is needed to distinguish between the two.
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