Despite the fact that sugar alcohols are used in many foods, they remain somewhat of a mystery to people. As a replacement for sugar, they may benefit you. Authority Nutrition helps us break down the details.
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There are many different types of sugar alcohols, the most popular ones being xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol and maltitol. They are a hybrid between sugar and alcohol, but fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately) they won’t get you drunk. Instead, they’re used as sweeteners in lieu of sugar in many health-branded foods (such as protein bars and sugar-free gum), because they contain fewer kilojoules and have other beneficial properties.
For example, chronically elevated blood sugar may be detrimental to your health, and sugar alcohols raise your blood sugar far less than regular sugar. As an added bonus, many sugar alcohols help protect against tooth decay as well.
It seems that the benefits of sugar alcohols, which also include being a prebiotic, far outweigh the bad. That being said, you may not want to lean on them too much, as they may cause digestive issues in high quantities. For an extremely comprehensive look at sugar alcohols, check out Authority Nutrition’s article below.
Sugar Alcohols: Good or Bad? [Authority Nutrition]
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