Q: What are sugar alcohols and how do they impact Net Carb count?
A: Many low-carb products are sweetened with a form of sugar called sugar alcohols. Sugar alcohols come in the form of ingredients such as glycerin, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, isomalt, lactitol and maltitol. Sugar alcohols provide a sweetness and mouth feel similar to sugar, without all the calories and unwanted metabolic effects. Sugar alcohols are all metabolized differently, some not fully absorbed by the gut, others are absorbed but not metabolized, and others are metabolized, but are not converted to glucose. 1 Thanks to these unique characteristics, there is a limited impact on blood sugar and insulin response. 2 Because of this, sugar alcohols don’t significantly interfere with fat burning, which makes them acceptable on Atkins. However, since a portion of sugar alcohols aren’t fully absorbed in the gut, there is the potential that consuming too much may produce a laxative effect or cause some gastrointestinal problems. 3 Most people can usually handle 20 to 30 grams a day. To calculate Net Carb count with sugar alcohols, simply subtract grams of sugar alcohols (including glycerin), as well as fiber, from total grams of carbs. Click here to learn more about what net carbs are and how to calculate them.
Evidence Based
PubMed Central, National Library of Medicine,
2019: A review of polyols – biotechnological production, food applications, regulation, labeling and health effects
Food research is constantly searching for new ways to replace sugar. This is due to the negative connotations of sugar consumption on health which has driven consumer demand for healthier products and is reflected on a national level by the taxation of sugary beverages. Sugar alcohols, a class of polyols, are present in varying levels in many fruits and vegetables and are also added to foods as low calorific sweeteners…
Evidence Based
PubMed Central, National Library of Medicine,
2003: Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers, with emphasis on low glycaemic properties
Abstract Polyols are hydrogenated carbohydrates used as sugar replacers. Interest now arises because of their multiple potential health benefits. They are non-cariogenic (sugar-free tooth-friendly), low-glycaemic (potentially helpful in diabetes and cardiovascular disease), low-energy and low-insulinaemic (potentially helpful in obesity), low-digestible (potentially helpful in the colon), osmotic (colon-hydrating, laxative and purifying) carbohydrates…
Evidence Based
PubMed Central, National Library of Medicine,
1989: Sugar alcohols as bulk sweeteners
The polyols are a family of bulk sweeteners, some of which are currently used in the United States and in other nations. The use of these compounds is likely to increase in the future. The greatest advantage of polyols as sweeteners is their reduced cariogenicity compared with sucrose, fructose, or glucose.
