Last Updated on October 9, 2024
What is IMO syrup? Have you ever heard of it? Well, if you haven’t it is something you want to know about.
IMO stands for Isomalto-oligosaccharide and is a type of high-maltose syrup. Maltose is a type of sugar formed from Malt. Nowadays, you can find IMO syrup in many products.
But is it healthy or should you avoid it? This article will answer all of your important questions on the topic! IMO can be found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables.
Scientists have found a way to harvest this carbohydrate to create a sweet syrup that is used as a replacement for sugar. Many people can’t resist eating something sweet at the end of the day. However, in more recent years we are discovering about the negative health effects of overconsuming sugar.
This is why people have started to develop alternatives to sugar. You always have to be careful when reading something labeled as “healthy.” Even though certain things are a substitute for sugar, they may not actually be healthier.
So, we have written this article to answer the important question: what is imo syrup? We will also overview the ways it is used and how it is made. Keep reading now to get all your answers!
Table of Contents
How Is IMO Made?
First, let’s understand how IMO is made and where it comes from. IMO is extracted from different kinds of fibrous plants. One commonly used source of IMO is tapioca starch.
Learn more about: Counting Carbs In Flour
Since it comes from a fiber, it is often marketed as a fiber rather than sugar. In fact, products are allowed to label the syrup as a fiber rather than a sweetener. This is one reason why it can be confusing and leave people wondering: What is IMO?
Even though it is not sugar, it still has a very sweet taste. This is why it is used as a substitute in protein bars. However, when it enters your body it often gives a similar effect as dextrose (which is a pure type of sugar).
This is why it can be dangerous to consider it as a healthy alternative to sugar. When manufacturers add it to their products, they are doing so in high amounts.
It also takes a large amount of processing to make IMO syrup. First, they need to extract starch such as tapioca or corn. From there, they will add enzymes to produce a chemical reaction. After this, the IMO can be extracted.
Since it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, many factories have been created to produce this.
Is It Possible For IMO Syrup To Increase Your Blood Sugar?
According to the National Library of Medicine, IMOs can increase blood sugar levels to a similar degree as dextrose. Why is this dangerous?
Well, one reason is because diabetes is one of the top health concerns of our modern day. Diabetes is a disease that affects the way your body reacts to sugar levels in your blood. Unfortunately, it is rapidly increasing because of our overconsumption of sugar.
Diabetes patients must be very careful not to increase their blood sugar levels rapidly. Many diabetes patients’ if think they are eating a healthy IMO sugar alternative. But instead, it’s affecting their blood the same way as sugar does. This can be very dangerous.
Keep in mind IMO can be found in many healthy things such as honey and other fermented foods. So in small doses, it is natural to have. However, in large doses, it may not be the best thing to have.
Also, it is not that easy to digest. Due to the way this product is created, humans are not able to digest it very well. This means it can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea and bloating.
You do not want to consume this in high amounts. However, in small amounts, it can be a nice alternative to pure sugar.
Overall, there are other alternatives to sugar that are healthier like honey. If you can stick to using honey there will be no need to use IMO syrup.
IMO syrup is not dangerous. It just should not be used without understanding the answer to the question: What is IMO syrup? If diabetes patients are overusing it, it is not safe!
If you have digestive issues or a sensitive stomach, be careful. As with anything, it is important to understand how a product is made before consuming it. In today’s world, it is difficult to know if a product is telling the truth about its nutritional value.
Unfortunately, this means that it is up to the consumer to do the research. After reading this article, you should have a great understanding about What is Imo Syrup and its uses. Feel free to comment and ask questions below! We are here to support you!
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Tanya is an environmental enthusiast who loves living green and sustainable. She is passionate about educating others on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle and reduce their environmental footprint. She is a firm believer that we can all make a difference by taking small steps towards reducing our carbon footprint. Tanya has a degree in Environmental Studies and is currently working at a local non–profit organization which focuses on educating the public about sustainable living. In her free time, Tanya enjoys gardening, biking, and exploring nature. She also loves to cook healthy meals using organic and locally–sourced ingredients. Tanya is committed to doing her part to help preserve our planet for future generations.