Highly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD) powder / Cluster Dextrin Carb Powder/Cluster Dextrin Powder

What is Cluster dextrin ?

Cluster Dextrin® is a patented version of the highly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD) composition. As the name implies, HBCD is a special variant of dextrin. Dextrins are low molecular weight carbohydrates produced by the chemical breakdown of starch or glycogen.Starch is a mixture of two different polymers, straight chain starch and branched chain starch; while glycogen is a branched polymer of glucose. HBCD is produced by enzymatically breaking down clusters of branched starch polymers and using branched enzymes to form large cyclic chains.Cluster Dextrin® is the highest quality and most commonly used form of highly branched cyclic dextrin in the supplement industry.

What dose it do ?

1. Cluster Dextrin® claims to deliver very unique and beneficial results compared to other carbohydrate sources. We will break down these benefits and explain how they will help you, but first, we need to cover the basics.Cluster Dextrin® is a carbohydrate source and as such can provide calories like any other food carbohydrate source.1 gram of Cluster Dextrin® contains 1 gram of carbohydrate and provides 4 calories.

Cluster Dextrin® is highly soluble

High solubility may not seem so important, but it is. With carbohydrate supplements, the higher the solubility, the better the product is absorbed in the intestinal tract; whereas insoluble carbohydrates pass through our digestive system and are excreted from the body. As well as being absorbed in the body, highly soluble products will mix better with water, meaning you won't get lumps or clumps in your shaker when drinking during your workout or training.

Cluster Dextrin® has a low osmolarity

One of the biggest problems with consuming carbohydrates before, during or after exercise is the feeling of those carbohydrates sitting in our stomach waiting to be digested from our stomach to our intestines.Cluster Dextrin® overcomes this problem by having an incredibly low osmolarity.

A product with a high osmolarity will take longer to get from the stomach to the small intestine; the lower the osmolarity, the faster it will pass through. Cluster Dextrin® has one of the lowest osmolarities, close to zero, which means it will pass through extremely quickly and won't leave you feeling bloated while training.

Cluster Dextrin® has a high molecular weight

The high molecular weight of Cluster Dextrin® is a recipe for sustained energy release with minimal or no effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. When we discuss "How long does it take to work?" we will discuss this in more detail.

Cluster Dextrin® has a minimal effect on blood sugar and insulin levels

Why is it so beneficial that Cluster Dextrin® has little or no effect on blood glucose and insulin levels? When we increase our blood sugar levels, although we consume low molecular weight carbohydrates, our body releases insulin to transport the broken down carbohydrates to our cells and return our blood sugar levels to 'normal'. When insulin levels are high, our bodies are unable to use our energy systems to utilise our fats and rely purely on carbohydrates for energy.

If we can keep our blood sugar and insulin levels low, while providing a constant source of carbohydrates for energy, we can use both carbohydrate and fat stores for energy during training. This is considered the "holy grail" of energy system combinations and can be utilised no matter what exercise you are doing.

To summarise what Cluster Dextrin® has to offer. It is a carbohydrate supplement that mixes very well and passes through our stomachs very quickly so we don't experience any bloating while training, but with minimal effect on blood sugar and insulin, it continues to release energy, allowing us to then train until we are done with the exercise. So far it sounds good.