Hyderabad-based dermatologist Dr Pooja Reddy has issued a serious health advisory about a hidden yet harmful ingredient commonly found in packaged foods—industrial starch. In a recent Instagram post, Dr Reddy described it as the “most dangerous carbohydrate in the world,” claiming it poses greater health risks than sugar, refined flour (maida), or even white rice.
According to her, industrial starch—also referred to as “fake starch”—is manufactured in factories and laboratories using high heat and chemical processing. This makes it extremely easy for the body to break down, causing rapid spikes in blood glucose levels. Such repeated spikes can contribute to inflammation, belly fat, fatty liver, and a significant increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes, a condition that already affects nearly 100 million people in India.
Watch the video here:
(Insert user’s video link or placeholder)
Dr Reddy clarified that her warning does not apply to natural starches found in foods like potatoes, rice, or whole grains. Instead, the concern is industrially produced starches used widely in packaged products—often even in items marketed as “healthy.”
What Is Industrial Starch?
Industrial starch is a highly processed, nutritionally empty filler used to add bulk or act as a thickener in packaged foods. Common names on ingredient lists include:
- Corn starch
- Maltodextrin
- Modified food starch
These undergo intense chemical treatment and heating, resulting in a structure that the body absorbs extremely quickly.
“When consumed, it causes a sharper spike in blood sugar than even table sugar,” Dr Reddy warned. Such abrupt glucose surges can accelerate inflammation, weight gain around the abdomen, and long-term metabolic disorders.
She urged consumers to read ingredient labels carefully and avoid packaged foods containing industrial starch, especially those presented as healthy alternatives.