Maltitol
Artificial Sweeteners
Potentially Harmful
Details
Definition
A type of sugar alcohol: a hybrid of sugar and alcohol molecules used as a low calorie substitute for sugar. Maltitol similar to Sorbitol and Xylitol usually used as an ingredient and found in many sugar free products. It is used as a sweetener or thickener in candies, ice cream, baked goods, energy and protein bars, gum, mouthwash and toothpaste. In most cases, starches and sugars are hydrogenated to yield sugar alcohols. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/sugar-alcohol)
AKAs
Hydrogenated Maltose,Hydrogenated Glucose Syrup,Lesys,Maltisweet,Sweetpearl
Health Impact
A generally safe alternative to sugar but may cause gas and stomach pains As a carbohydrate it has a high glycemic index (although not as high as sugar) which can have an effect on blood glucose. As an artificial sweetener, it has an impact on gut bacteria and can affect insulin sensitivity and blood sugar over time.
Sources
Gut bacteria, artificial sweeteners and glucose intolerance
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/694381Artificial sweeteners and risk of cardiovascular diseases: results from the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort
https://www.bmj.com/content/378/bmj-2022-071204Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study
https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003950Reading ingredients made easy. For quicker, healthier decisions.
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