Benefits: Consuming sugar alcohols in place of sugar means consuming fewer calories, which can lead to weight loss and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Sugar alcohols do not increase blood sugar as much as table sugar, making it a safer alternative for diabetics. Another benefit is cavity prevention: sugar alcohols do not feed the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Drawbacks: The major downfall of sugar alcohols is their effect on digestion. Intestinal distress is common because sugar alcohols are not completely broken down and absorbed. They can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea. Symptoms can vary among individuals causing some to have digestive distress with only one serving, while others experience no problems. The one exception is the sugar alcohol erythritol, which has not been shown to cause symptoms. It is also important to know that the long-term health effects from consuming sugar alcohols are not yet known.
Labeling: On the nutrition facts panel, sugar alcohols should be listed underneath sugar. The current sugar alcohols to look for will be listed in the ingredients as Polyol, Erythritol, Glycerol, Glycerin, Glycerine, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol or xylitol. If you forget these terms, most names of sugar alcohols have words ending in “-ol.”
Bottom line: Sugar alcohols may be the culprits of some GI issues. Read the ingredients of favorite foods and consider healthier alternatives. Rather than consuming diet foods, try full sugar versions in smaller amounts. Though sugar alcohols are generally recognized as safe, further research is needed to understand the long-term health effects. If you are experiencing gastrointestinal distress, please consult with your doctor and/or dietitian for further advice.
Drawbacks: The major downfall of sugar alcohols is their effect on digestion. Intestinal distress is common because sugar alcohols are not completely broken down and absorbed. They can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea. Symptoms can vary among individuals causing some to have digestive distress with only one serving, while others experience no problems. The one exception is the sugar alcohol erythritol, which has not been shown to cause symptoms. It is also important to know that the long-term health effects from consuming sugar alcohols are not yet known.
Labeling: On the nutrition facts panel, sugar alcohols should be listed underneath sugar. The current sugar alcohols to look for will be listed in the ingredients as Polyol, Erythritol, Glycerol, Glycerin, Glycerine, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol or xylitol. If you forget these terms, most names of sugar alcohols have words ending in “-ol.”
Bottom line: Sugar alcohols may be the culprits of some GI issues. Read the ingredients of favorite foods and consider healthier alternatives. Rather than consuming diet foods, try full sugar versions in smaller amounts. Though sugar alcohols are generally recognized as safe, further research is needed to understand the long-term health effects. If you are experiencing gastrointestinal distress, please consult with your doctor and/or dietitian for further advice.
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