Are Maltodextrins a different name for Sugars?

Maltodextrins are not a sugar. 

A plant-based ingredient, maltodextrins are complex carbohydrates. Derived from wheat or maize, they are very lightly hydrolyzed starches. The process uses water and enzymes - much like the human digestive process - to break down molecule chains into slightly shorter chains, which are then dried to form a powder.

It means the glucose chains which the starch is composed of are broken down just enough to be more easily digestible, but not enough to bring sweetness. This process makes the starch soluble.

Maltodextrins are a good source of energy for infants, as they are easily digested in the small intestine and energy is therefore quickly available for use by the body.

To learn more, read the Maltodextrins page under Spotlight on Ingredients.