Sugar alcohols can also be manufactured for use in food and pharmaceutical products. Below is a list of commonly used sugar alcohols, their sources, and their sweetness in comparison to regular sugar. Sorbitol is found naturally in some fruits. When used to make food products, it is typically manufactured from dextrose that is derived from cornstarch.
Mannitol is naturally found in a variety of plants, including strawberries, mushrooms, and onions. It can be made using fructose from cornstarch. Their sweetness depends on their makeup, but the range is about 20 to 50 percent that of regular sugar. Erythritol is also produced from cornstarch, but it is unique because the manufacturing process involves fermentation.
Xylitol can be made from a few different materials, including birch wood, corncobs, and leftover sugar cane stalks. Sucrose or other sugars contain about 4 calories per gram g. The table below outlines the number of calories in sugar alcohols, according to the International Food Information Council Foundation.
Sugar alcohols differ from regular sugar in many ways. They are not fully absorbed and digested in the body, so they have less of an impact on blood sugar. The hormone insulin is only needed in small amounts or not at all to metabolize sugar alcohols. They also provide fewer calories per gram than regular sugar.
Another difference between sugar alcohols and regular sugar is taste. Q: What are sugar alcohols and how do they impact Net Carb count? Thank you for your submission!
You have been added to our list! Xylitol promotes dental health by reducing plaque formation, inhibiting tooth demineralization, and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria Studies have shown that erythritol appears to have similar effects on dental health and may reduce the risk of cavities 15 , Some sugar alcohols may have the opposite effect as table sugar on dental health.
Studies have shown that xylitol and erythritol may improve dental health and protect against cavities. Because most sugar alcohols have a minimal effect on blood sugar levels, they make a smart sugar replacement for those with prediabetes and diabetes.
However, more research is needed to understand how long-term sugar alcohol consumption affects the overall health of people with diabetes Some sugar alcohols like maltitol may promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria , in the gut.
However, more human research is needed to assess how sugar alcohol consumption influences gut bacteria 2 , Sugar alcohols may promote gut health and be a smart sugar alternative for those with diabetes. However, more research is needed to assess the overall health effects of consuming sugar alcohols.
The main problem with sugar alcohols is that some can cause gastrointestinal side effects in people with and without digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome IBS , especially when consumed in large amounts. Your body cannot digest most of them, so they travel to the large intestine, where your gut bacteria break them down. For this reason, if you eat a lot of sugar alcohols in a short period of time, you may experience gas, bloating, and diarrhea. However, if you consume more than 20 grams, it can cause significant digestive issues, including pain and diarrhea 2.
Plus, some sugar alcohols, including sorbitol and mannitol, are considered fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols — also known as FODMAPs. When dogs eat xylitol, their bodies mistake it for sugar and start producing large amounts of insulin.
This can lead to low blood sugar and other side effects — including liver failure, which can be fatal Xylitol is toxic to dogs. If you own a dog, make sure to keep xylitol out of reach. Out of all the sugar alcohols, erythritol seems to be one of the best options. Erythritol is a popular sugar alcohol that has been shown to be safe and well tolerated. Sugar alcohols are popular, low calorie sweeteners that you can find in many low calorie foods and drinks.
But there are three potential sugar alcohol side effects:. In a British study , researchers gave participants doses of sugar or one of two types of sugar alcohol xylitol and erythritol. Those taking xylitol reported bloating, gas, upset stomach and diarrhea.
Erythritol appeared to have milder effects on the stomach, only increasing nausea and gas when given in large doses. This effect is more common in children and people with irritable bowel syndrome IBS. Instead of absorbing sugar alcohols in the stomach, they can linger in the intestines and ferment.
Doctors even prescribe some types as laxatives. Just as sugar lurks behind different terms on food labels, sugar alcohol also has many names.
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