The sources of carbohydrates in our Mark 8 recipe are oligosaccharides from corn, slow-absorbing saccharides from white sugar beets (isomaltulose), starches and other carbohydrates from oats, as well as carbohydrates and minority carbohydrates from soy, carrot fibre, pumpkin, peas, algae, and rice. Carbohydrates supply energy and, together with protein and fat, are essential for proper functioning of the human body. Above all, they are essential for brain and central nervous system function.
The main function of carbohydrates is to supply the body with energy. If energy is not supplied by this nutrient, the body must take it from other sources, first by breaking down fats, and then tissular proteins. Carbohydrates also serve as the building blocks for and help protect cells.
Starches, simple sugars, and even fibre are counted as carbohydrates. These are divided into monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and complex carbohydrates in accordance with the number of sugar units they have. To be clear, from a legislative point of view, sugar compounds (monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides composed of carbohydrates) are considered “carbohydrates.” The term “sugar” refers only to simple carbohydrates. Plant sources of carbohydrates include oligosaccharides from corn, carbohydrates from oats, soybeans, carrot fibre, pumpkin, peas, algae, and rice.
The sources of carbohydrates in ManaPowder and ManaDrink are as follows:
- Carbohydrates from corn - Maltodextrin . An excellent source of oligosaccharides, which supply our body with quickly usable energy. It is composed of starches from various plant sources, but the main ones are corn, rice, wheat and potatoes. Our products contain maltodextrin with a low dextrose equivalent DE-12, i.e. with low monosaccharide content.
- Palatinose, i.e. isomaltulose. This is a disaccharide whose structure is made up of fructose and glucose. It is produced biotechnologically using microorganisms from white sugar beet and its advantage is that it is absorbed slowly. In Mana, we use isomaltulose instead of sugar, which reduces the increase in blood glucose levels after its consumption. It also reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes. It has a mild, sweet taste and a low glycemic index of 32.
- Complex carbohydrates from oat fibre. Oat fibre contains soluble and insoluble complex carbohydrates with significant beta-glucan content, which helps maintain normal blood cholesterol levels.
- Minor carbohydrates from soy, carrot fibre, pumpkin, peas, algae, and rice.
According to an original study we conducted in cooperation with Charles University and the Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic, ManaDrink can be considered a relatively low-carbohydrate food. The study also found that ManaDrink has a relatively low glycemic index (29) and insulin index (41), making it suitable for use by diabetics within a framework of complex dietary treatment. We believe the same is true of ManaPowder, given its nutritional composition is nearly identical to that of ManaDrink. Nevertheless, if you have diabetes, we recommend consulting with your doctor before using Mana. The results of the above study can be read here.
The pleasant and subtle sweetness of Mana is owing to sucralose, a sweetener. Although it is an artificial sweetener, sucralose is much safer and tastier than many natural sweeteners. And in combination with the other ingredients in Mana, it works perfectly. It is noncaloric and easily excreted from the body.
Detailed information on the carbohydrate content of ManaPowder Origin can be found here.
Information on the carbohydrate content of ManaDrink Origin can be found here.
Sources:
Weiselll, R. Food Nutr. Agric. 30(2002) 14: The process of determining nutritional requirements.
Carbohydrates in human nutrition. Report of a Joint FAO/ WHO Expert Consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper No. 66 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Rome 1998. Online: http://www.fao.org/docrep/w8079e/w8079e00.htm
Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Report of a Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation. WHO Technical Report Series No. 916 World Health Organization: Geneva 2003. Online: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/42665/1/WHO_TRS_916.pdf
EFSA Journal, 9, 4(2011)2076, Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to the sugar replacers xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, isomalt, erythritol, D-tagatose, isomaltulose, sucralose and polydextrose and maintenance of tooth mineralisation by decreasing tooth demineralisation (ID 463, 464, 563, 618, 647, 1182, 1591, 2907, 2921, 4300), and reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses (ID 617, 619, 669, 1590, 1762, 2903, 2908, 2920) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Online: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2076/