Dextrin

A soluble, gummy substance, formed from starch by the action of heat, acids, or ferments, occurring in various forms and having dextrorotatory properties: used chiefly as a thickening agent in printing inks and food, as a mucilage, and as a substitute for gum arabic and other natural substances.

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Dextrin is used to hold things together. It binds our pyro mixtures so they don't fly apart or crumble easily. While there are differing opinions about which binder to use, dextrin is probably the most commonly used pyro binder in the U.S.

Dextrin is a fuel but it is used in very small quantities and does not contribute much to our pyrotechnic reactions. In larger quantities, it can retard the speed of burning in BP and star mixtures. It is water soluble and is easy to purchase and easier to make.

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Dextrin is widely understood to increase levels of bacteria lactobacilli which are responsible for increasing your digestive abilities. It helps this bacteria to grow in your colon. As these good bacteria grow they reduce the resources for bad bacteria, causing the levels of bad bacteria in your colon to shrink. Further, as Dextrin ferments it produces 'short-chain fatty acids' which promote the health of your intestines.

Dextrin is actually a name for a type of low molecular weight carbohydrates. Dextrins are produced by enacting the process of hydrolysis on starches. Hydrolysis involves splitting water up into its basic components and allowing those components to attach to other molecules.

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So far, this is looking like some pretty awesome stuff. 

Dextrins are used in a wide variety of industries, and they commonly appear as a food additive in a wide range of products, which can be problematic for some people, as they may contain traces of allergens like wheat or corn.

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So you may want to watch for glucose allergies.

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