Polydextrose and its effects on appetite, blood sugar and body weight
What it found
In short-term studies in people, polydextrose appeared to lower energy intake, increase fullness and reduce blood sugar and insulin spikes.
The authors say longer trials are needed to confirm these effects.
What they found
Studies in people
Appetite and calorie intake
Short-term studies in people suggest polydextrose lowers how much energy people take in and increases feelings of fullness.
Blood sugar and insulin
In people, polydextrose appeared to lower blood sugar and insulin levels after eating. This may happen because it slows down digestion and nutrient absorption in the gut.
Gut bacteria changes
As a soluble fibre, polydextrose may change the mix of gut bacteria. In people, this could alter signals involved in energy use and blood sugar balance.
Other findings
How it might work
Products made by gut bacteria, such as short-chain fatty acids, may help explain how polydextrose influences energy and nutrient processing in the body.
What the authors conclude
- They state that carefully controlled long-term studies in people are needed to confirm these short-term findings.
- They suggest adding polydextrose to everyday meals could be a useful strategy for managing obesity and related metabolic conditions.
How it was done
The authors wanted to highlight recent research on how the dietary fibre polydextrose affects appetite, fullness, calorie intake and blood sugar control.
They looked at short-term human intervention studies involving polydextrose. They also examined possible biological pathways behind any observed effects.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These findings come from short-term studies, so they cannot show what happens over months or years.
- Because this is a review of existing work rather than a single trial, it cannot prove cause and effect on its own.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands
The paper
- Title
- The role of polydextrose in body weight control and glucose regulation
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Canfora EE, Blaak EE (2015). The role of polydextrose in body weight control and glucose regulation. Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000184PubMed 26049637DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error