Maltitol is a chemical substitute in the form of sugar. It is a type of sugar alcohol. Maltitol is obtained from the starch of corn, potatoes, or wheat by hydrolysis. They are also a carbohydrate that contains fewer calories than sugar and other glucose.
Maltitol is available in granular, powdered, and liquid forms. Using maltitol syrup instead of sugar syrup can cause you to intake less amount of sugar and calories. Maltitol can be found in food products like Gum, Chocolates, Ice cream, and baked goods
Generally, maltitol is sugar alcohol similar to the naturally found sugar alcohols in fruits and vegetables. Unlike natural sugar contents, maltitol is artificially produced similar to sugar, yet maltitol contains less concentrated sugar further they are labeled as “sugar-free”. Maltitol can be commonly found in low-carb nutrition or candy bars as well as in sugar-free products.
Maltitol And Its Contents
- Compared with normal sugar the nutritional value of maltitol is relatively higher. Maltitol contains only 2–3 calories per gram to 4 calories per gram of sugar, the body does not intake all the grams of sugar from maltitol.
- While sugar delivers 100% of sweetness, maltitol provides only 75-90% of the sweetness of sugar, which is still higher than other sugar alcohols.
- Maltitol possesses a glycemic index of 35, less than sugar 60. The glycemic index is the measure of blood sugar level. Since maltitol has calories and carbohydrates, it also affects blood sugar levels. the glycemic index can be used to maintain blood sugar levels throughout the day for diabetic patients.
Benefits Of Maltitol
- Swapping maltitol with sugar can reduce the intake of calories, as well it may help to completely cut off from the sugar if gradually decreases the amount.
- Maltitol is usually better for dental health than sugar because acid produced from maltitol does not cause any cavity formation. So it does not cause cavity or tooth decay, thus maltitol is considered noncariogenic.
- Replacing normal gums with maltitol-based gums can provide the same benefits with no sugar
Side Effects Of Maltitol
- Artificial sweetener Maltitol has a glycemic index of 35 which is lower than sugar, nevertheless, it is not safe to consume large amounts of maltitol.
- Consumption of large amounts of maltitol can cause digestive problems. as well as gastrointestinal symptoms; file as abdominal discomfort, flatulence, and bloating.
- Maltitol also has possible side effects of causing diarrhea at a level of daily consumption of around 100 g. Maltitol has a laxative effect which causes gastrointestinal symptoms. Excessive intake of maltitol can cause severe digestive problems.
- People with irritable bowel syndrome are likely to cause many frequent digestive problems when consuming maltitol because maltitol carries laxative effects. Due to this reason, the FDA ordered a potential warning over the sugar alcohols in products containing over 50g.
Can Blood Sugar Level Increase By Maltitol
Maltitol is more highly effective than sugar, maltitol is not completely digested thus slower rise in blood sugar levels. But that does not mean that maltitol cannot raise blood sugar levels exponentially. It still has a glycemic index that is not high as sugar, but consumption of large amounts of maltitol can cause an effect on blood sugar levels.
Artificial sweeteners are usually sweeter, low-calorie substitutes for sugar, and also doesn’t affect blood sugar levels instantly causing benefit to diabetic patients as well as people on diet. However many researchers have implied that artificial sweeteners have an impact on gut bacteria and can cause an indirect effect on insulin sensitivity as well as a rise in blood sugar levels over time.
Many people are trying to halt the consumption of sugar by reducing their intake of it. For many different reasons as well as trying other sugar alternatives.
So it is crucial for consumers to check the amount of intake labeled in an artificial sweetener for many health reasons. Consuming FDA-approved amounts of maltitol is strictly important for consumers
