I purchased this product & the dairy kefer version of this product in a health food store, trusting that it would provide me with a good, healthy alternative to buying store bought yogurt. Much better to make your own, yes?
Nope. When I got home & began to read the ingredients again, I noticed something I overlooked - maltodextrin. It's in BOTH the yogurt making & kefer making products which Yogourmet sells.
Maltodextrin is a highly processed carbohydrate commonly used in processed foods to improve texture, consistency & shelf life. It can have many negative effects on our health.
Research has linked maltodextrin to potential health risks. Some facts regarding the dangers related to consuming maltodextrin:
BLOOD SUGAR SPIKES - Maltodextrin has a high glycemic index, which means it causes rapid increase in blood sugar levels. This is particularly dangerous for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.
WEIGHT GAIN - Consuming maltodextrin can lead to weight gain, which is a significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
INSULIN RESISTANCE - Consumption of maltodextrin can contribute to insulin resistance, making it more challenging for the body to regulate blood sugar levels.
GUT HEALTH - Maltodextrin affectS the balance of gut bacteria, which can have negative consequences for overall health.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS - Some people are allergic to maltodextrin; this can cause various allergic reactions, including skin problems such as rashes, intestinal cramping & bloating, anaphylaxis, hives, swelling
INTESTINAL INFLAMMATION - Maltodextrin has been shown to alter gut bacteria, leading to intestinal inflammation & contributing to conditions like Crohn’s disease & ulcerative colitis.
GLUTEN INTOLERANCE - Maltodextrin is made from starch sources such as corn, rice, potato, wheat & tapioca. It can contain traces of gluten, making it a concern for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
LINK TO CHRONIC DISEASES - Consuming maltodextrin is linked to increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease & certain types of cancer.
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I will absolutely avoid ALL products made by the Yogourmet company / brand in the future. In addition, health food stores & company's selling products such as these need to do better. They need to research products they are stocking in their stores. People & stores selling so-called 'healthy' products are going the way of supermarket garbage food & those doing ads for fast food companies. Consumers also need to do much better in educating themselves & understand that there are now a LOT of dangerous ingredients in so called 'health foods' such as yogurt, kefer & products used to make both. Educate companies such as Yogourmet as well, because they obviously are not doing their due diligence.