Is Modified Food Starch Bad For You?
Also Known As: modified starch, modified corn starch, starch derivatives
Short answer
Modified food starch is bad for you. The ingredient is treated with potentially harmful chemicals and has a high risk of contamination. We recommend limiting your consumption of this ingredient, if not avoiding it all together.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Modified food starch is typically obtained from a variety of sources like wheat, corn, potato, or tapioca. This greatly processed carbohydrate adds roughly 30 calories or seven grams of carbs in each teaspoon, without offering any nutritional value in return. It is freely used in the food industry in everything from candies to baked goods, yogurt, ice creams and meats. It serves a large variety of functions like enhancing shelf life, improving freezing and thawing cycles, it acts as a stabilizer, thickening agent, and an emulsifier.
While the original sources pose few problems, it is when the starch from these sources is chemically, physically or enzymatically treated, hence “modified”, to allow it to have the desired properties that we run into trouble. An ingredient label reading “modified starch” is most likely to have been treated with things like sulfuric acid, chlorine or other chemicals which are not altogether safe for consumption. Modified food starch is frequently composed of around 10% maltodextrin, which camouflages the existence of monosodium glutamate. The treatment of starch with less than desirable chemicals increases the risk of contamination and in some cases, we are actually consuming the chemicals. This poses a health threat and is the actual cause for concern when modified starch is used in processed foods.
As mentioned earlier, modified food starch contains maltodextrin, a flavorless powder that is employed as a binding agent in candies, sport enhancing supplements and drinks. Its side effects include sudden weight gain and wheat allergy-like symptoms including rashes, itching, asthma etc. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is another chemical commonly added to modified food starch to further boost flavors. While not everyone experiences side effects from consuming MSG, many report nausea, headaches, heart palpitations, and chest pain, among others.
People following gluten-free diets may be asked by their doctors to avoid modified food starch altogether - even when it is not made from wheat. This concern is due to the risk of cross-contamination during the manufacturing process. Unless the company follows strict protocols, contamination is fairly common.
Lastly, modified starch is calorie dense, so weight conscious individuals should take note.
Possible short-term side effects
- allergic reaction (may contain gluten)
-
nausea
-
headaches
-
heart palpitations
-
chest pain
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain
-
side effects from chemical contamination
Commonly found in
- powder coated food
-
candy
-
low fat ice cream
-
canned soup
-
cheese sauces
-
microwaveable meals
Ingredients to be aware of
Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. Thank you!
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 07-03-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 07-03-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Approved by 
