Polyols are recognized as the genuine imitations of sucrose in the modern diet and used as non-sugar sweeteners. These products include the following; sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol and others resemble sugar in terms of taste and sweetness but contain fewer calories. CSPC are mostly used in sugar free candy, gums, bakery products and few pharmaceuticals preparations.
However the name ‘sugar alcohol’ is quite misleading because these substances are not sugar or alcohol in the truest sense of the two terms. In this blog I will discuss what sugar alcohols do to our body, the side effects of consuming them, their properties, and how they are beneficial for diabetes.
1. What Are Sugar Alcohols?
Sugar alcohals are a non-saccharide carbohydrate which can be found in fruits and some vegetables but are legally synthesized for their properties as a bulk sweetener. From a chemical point of view, sugar alcohols are relatively new compounds somewhere between sugar and alcohol hence the name sugar alcohols. However, they do not contain ethanol the kind of alcohol you get from wines and indeed most other beverages.
Common types of sugar alcohols include:
Sorbitol: Sorbitol which is similar to sugar is found in fruits such as apples, pears and peaches, it is used mainly in sugarless candies and gums.
Xylitol: The sweetener is naturally occurring in the birch tree and corn and is currently used in sugarless gum and toothpaste to improve oral hygiene.
Erythritol: Erythritol is a naturally occurring product, which can be found in fruits and some fermented foods. Stevia is more than 300 times sweeter than sugar and it contains 1/300 the calories of sugar: 8 calories per gram instead of 4.
Mannitol: Mannitol which is obtained from mushrooms and seawater is used in drugs or products that are Low in sugar content.
2. Sugar alcohols and how they are metabolised
Like certain sugars they are partially or not at all metabolized in the human digestive system which results in significantly fewer calories per gram. Whereas relating to calorific value, normal sugar offers 4 calories per gram while sugar alcohols offer between 1 and 2 calories per gram. It is recommended that it should contain 5 and 3 calories per gram. This makes them perfect to the many people who are looking at ways of cutting down their calorie intake.
Metabolism and Digestion:
Slow Absorption: Regarding, the glycaemic index sugar alcohols are different because they are absorbed slowly and therefore their glycemic index is lower than those of normal sugars. Its slower rate of absorption is suitable to the diabetic especially for those who are in charge of their blood sugar levels.
Partial Fermentation: Some of the sugar alcohols are not fully absorbed and therefore some of them are transported to the large intestine where bacteria partially digest them. This process can cause generation of gas and hence user may feel some form of discomfort in the digestive tract.
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Caloric Impact:
Lower Caloric Content: Owing to the fact that these are only partially digested, sugar alcohols have less calories, which may help the users to have better weight control.
3. Sugar Alcohol Properties
Sugar alcohols have several unique properties that make them useful in various food products:
Sweetness: Sugar alcohols are known to be somewhat less sweet than regular sugar; the relative sweetness of sugar alcohols varies between 25 and 100% of that of sucrose. For instance, erythritol is 60 to 80% percent as sweet as sugar while xylitol is absolutely as sweet as sugar.
Mouthfeel: Sugar alcohols can also replicate the sensations that sugar leaves on the tongue and that is why they are mostly used in products like chocolates, candies or products such as cakes. They can also be used for maintaining the moisture in baked products so as to enhance the quality of texture and have longer shelf lives.
Cooling Effect: Some of the sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol when dissolved in the mouth causes a sensation of coolness due to which they are used in mints and chewing gum.
Non-Cariogenic: Sugar alcohids do not cause tooth decay as the other type of sugars do so therefore it is good for our teeth. However, xylitol has been proved to decrease the incidence of cavities, thus, is used in formulation of sugarless chewing gum and candies among others.
4. Sugar Alcohol Side Effects
While sugar alcohols offer many benefits, they can also cause side effects, particularly when consumed in large amounts:
Gastrointestinal Issues: The severest side effect of sugar alcohols is digestive upset characterised by bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea. This is so because, sugar alcohols are poorly absorbed from the small bowel, and are metabolized by bacterial action in the large bowel, with production of gas and osmotic influx of water in the colon.
Laxative Effect: Excessive consumption of SAs particularly sorbitol and mannitol causes diarrhea as a result of osmotic effects. This is why one gets to find warning statements on products containing sugar alcohols.
Allergic Reactions: It is important to note that in a few cases, a person may have an allergy to one or another sugar alcohol and may experience itching, swelling of the face or difficulty in breathing.
In somewhat smaller portions, it is perfectly safe to consume products containing sugar alcohols; otherwise, these following issues may occur: If you are just joining the bandwagon and introducing sugar alcohols into your diet, it is recommended that you go slow and begin to increase the portions gradually depending on the tolerance level of your stomach.
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5. Sugar Alcohol for Diabetes
The growing appeal of sugar alcohols can be attributed to their possible advantages when it supposes to type 2 diabetes. Managing blood sugar levels is crucial for individuals with diabetes, and sugar alcohols can play a role in this:
Lower Glycemic Index: Sugar alcohols are known to have a slow GI compared to normal sugar hence they cause a low and slow increase in blood glucose levels upon consumption. For instance, Glycemic index of erythritol equals to zero, therefore, it is properly suitable for diabetics.
Reduced Caloric Impact: There is also an advantage in using sugar alcohols to reduce the calorie intake that is beneficial for a diabetic who needs to balance his or her weight to control the disease.
Insulin Response: This implies that although sugar alcohols are sugars, their consumption results to negligible increase in blood sugar levels hence they are metabolized without needing insulin. This may be advantegeous if one has insulin resistance or if one wants to take lesser amounts of insulin.
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Conclusion
Sugar alcohols exist and they are better than regular sugars in several ways since they have several advantages especially for those who want to lose weight or those who are diabetic. However, they are not without their weakness, particularly they lead individuals who take them to have stomach problems if taken in large proportion. Knowledge of sugar alcohols’ properties, possible side effects, and the right applications of this sweetener can contribute to the right decision concerning its consumption. Like any dietary change, moderation is the word of the day, and it is always advised to seek your doctor’s advice before making changes.
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