Nutritional Articles
Sugar Alcohols
Have you had any sugar alcohols lately? Probably. Sugar alcohols, which contain neither sugar nor alcohol, are also known as polyols. They occur naturally in fruits and vegetables, but are commercially produced from other carbohydrates such as sucrose, glucose, and starch, and are used in a wide range of products, including chewing gums, candies, ice cream, baked goods, and fruit spreads. They are also used in toothpastes, mouthwashes, breath mints, cough syrups/drops, and throat lozenges.
Why do they appear in so many foods? As sugar replacers, polyols provide fewer calories per gram than does sugar (1.5 to 3 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram for sucrose or other sugars), they do not promote tooth decay, and they do not cause sudden increases in blood glucose levels. It’s important to note that sugar alcohols are not the same as artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin (Sweet & Low) and aspartame (Equal or Nutrasweet), which contain zero calories.
So, what’s the problem? While polyols provide a sweet flavor to many food products marketed toward individuals with diabetes, these foods may still contain significant amounts of carbohydrates. It’s important to always check food labels for the carbohydrate content a food product contains, and if you do have diabetes, talk with your doctor to determine how it will best fit into your diet. In order to know if a food product contains polyols, the “Nutrition Facts” panel will list the amount of sugar alcohol it contains under total carbohydrate. If only one sugar alcohol is used, the label will list its specific name, for example, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, or hydrogenated starch hydrolysates.
In addition to having to watch out for total carbohydrates (in which case, weight gain can result if you overeat them), a common side effect of poylols is bloating and diarrhea. Although, with continued use, most people can tolerate sugar alcohols and no longer experience these symptoms. One exception is erythritol, a type of naturally occurring sugar alcohol, which has no side effects because it is absorbed in the small intestine, and has only 0.2 calories per gram.
Bottom line: Considered a safe additive for human consumption, sugar alcohols or polyols can help reduce calorie intake. However, they can have unpleasant side effects and should still be eaten in moderation as part of as part of an overall healthy eating plan.
- Modern Menus
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