On Feb 28, 2024, Posrideeet et al. published an article in the journal Foods entitled "Maltodextrin from Sweet Cassava: A Promising Endurance Enhancer." This paper thoroughly investigates the physiological and metabolic impact of sweet cassava-derived Maltodextrin (SCMD) on endurance performance and exercise metabolism in a preclinical model. The core finding is that SCMD supplementation significantly improves time-to-exhaustion, correlating with optimized muscle glycogen utilization and enhanced regulation of key metabolic parameters, positioning it as a superior alternative in the sports Carbohydrate Manufacturing sector. This breakthrough highlights a pivot in carbohydrate research from generic starch hydrolysates to botanically targeted, function-specific glycan structures. The choice of sweet cassava, known for its high-quality amylopectin content, suggests an intentional focus on creating a complex, moderate-speed carbohydrate designed to maximize sustained energy delivery without the metabolic volatility associated with faster-releasing sugars.

Overview

The pursuit of the ideal endurance carbohydrate—one that provides sustained energy without spiking insulin or causing gastrointestinal distress—is a constant driver in carbohydrate manufacture. Traditional maltodextrins, typically derived from corn or potato starch, serve as fast-releasing energy sources but often lack complementary physiological benefits. These high dextrose equivalent (DE) products are rapidly hydrolyzed, leading to a massive influx of glucose that triggers undesirable hyperinsulinemia and subsequent rebound hypoglycemia, counteracting sustained performance goals. The inherent challenge in endurance nutrition is maintaining stable blood glucose for working muscles while preserving limited glycogen stores. This research addresses this gap by isolating a unique maltodextrin from sweet cassava, hypothesizing that its specific saccharide profile and structural characteristics, derived from the cassava starch source, could offer superior metabolic regulation and performance enhancement compared to standard alternatives. This effort leverages new approaches in glycobiology to develop bio-optimized carbohydrate structures for human application.

Research Results

• Enhanced Endurance and Glycogen Preservation

The primary performance metric—the time-to-exhaustion during a forced swimming test—demonstrated a clear increase in endurance for subjects supplemented with SCMD. Specifically, the SCMD group exhibited a statistically significant prolongation of swimming time compared to control and non-cassava-supplemented groups, often showing an increase of over 15% in absolute endurance capacity. The glycobiological significance here lies in the management of energy stores. Subjects receiving SCMD showed a notable trend toward higher muscle glycogen content post-exercise compared to control groups, suggesting that the supplement either promoted more efficient glycogen storage before exercise or, crucially, regulated the mobilization of this muscle glycogen during sustained activity to delay fatigue. Conversely, liver glycogen levels were shown to be appropriately mobilized to sustain blood glucose levels during the exertion phase, confirming the metabolic utility of SCMD in supporting systemic energy homeostasis. The balance between liver glycogenolysis and muscle glycogen preservation is precisely the metabolic state desired by elite athletes, demonstrating SCMD's role as a potent glycogen regulator.

Fig.1 Effects of 16 days of administration of maltodextrin (M) and crude extract (CP) from sweet cassava on exercise endurance. (Posridee, et al., 2024)

• Superior Regulation of Blood Glucose and Insulin

A key innovation of the study was the observed effect on Glucose and insulin dynamics. The SCMD group maintained both plasma glucose and insulin levels more effectively, suggesting a smoother, more regulated release of glucose into the bloodstream. Unlike carbohydrates that cause sharp glycemic peaks and crashes, SCMD appeared to facilitate a steady energy supply. This sustained availability of blood glucose for working muscles during extended exercise is critical. This observation suggests that the specific α-1,4 and α1,6 glycosidic linkages and the degree of polymerization (DP) unique to the cassava-derived carbohydrate structure interact favorably with digestive enzymes and cell transporters, leading to this desirable metabolic profile. The structural complexity of SCMD results in a slower, more controlled rate of hydrolysis in the small intestine, preventing the rapid glucose surge characteristic of simple sugars. This sustained nutrient delivery is key for avoiding the mid-exercise energy slump, ensuring a consistent substrate flow for aerobic metabolism throughout the performance window.

Fig.2 Effects of 16-day administration of maltodextrin (M) and crude extract (CP) from sweet cassava on muscle glycogen content. (Posridee, et al., 2024)

• Dual-Action Benefit: Mitigating Oxidative Stress

Beyond pure energy delivery, the researchers investigated SCMD's effect on cellular stress, a major contributor to post-exercise fatigue. By analyzing oxidative stress-related parameters in key tissues (liver and muscle), the study demonstrated that SCMD supplementation helped mitigate exercise-induced cellular damage. The analysis focused on biomarkers of cellular harm, specifically monitoring malondialdehyde (MDA), a major end-product of lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Levels of ROS and MDA, markers of lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage, were modulated, while the activity of the crucial antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) was maintained or enhanced. SOD is the body's primary line of enzymatic defense against harmful free radicals generated by high-intensity metabolism. The preservation of high SOD activity alongside the reduction in MDA and ROS levels points to a direct cellular protective mechanism. This is a significant finding, as it suggests SCMD acts not only as a superior fuel source but also possesses an intrinsic protective effect, helping to maintain cellular integrity against the metabolic demands of strenuous exercise. This dual-action capability—energy provision and antioxidant defense—is highly innovative for a bulk carbohydrate ingredient.

Conclusion

This research compellingly validates SCMD as a promising, highly effective endurance enhancer. The innovative applications are manifold: SCMD is more than a simple carbohydrate filler; it is a bio-optimized glyco-nutraceutical. Its ability to enhance time-to-exhaustion, smoothly regulate blood glucose and insulin, and simultaneously bolster endogenous antioxidant defenses makes it an exceptionally valuable asset for next-generation sports formulations. The findings open up vast potential in carbohydrate manufacturing, urging the industry to look toward specialized botanical sources like sweet cassava for developing functional saccharides with engineered metabolic outcomes. We now focus on scaling the efficient, sustainable production of SCMD to meet the demand for high-performance, metabolically sophisticated energy substrates. The future of carbohydrate manufacture lies in precise glycan engineering, and SCMD represents a significant leap forward in delivering scientifically validated, high-impact nutritional solutions.