Xylitol and Maltitol: Low-calorie sugar alternatives

Polyols like Xylitol and Maltitol offer important health benefits. Unlike general sugar-free sweeteners, these do not have any bitter-after taste

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Polyols like Xylitol and Maltitol are a group of low-digestible carbohydrates derived from the hydrogenation of their sugar or syrup source.

These sweeteners taste like sugar with about half the calories and are used as food ingredients to replace sugar in an increasing variety of sugar-free and reduced-calorie foods and beverages for their functional and health benefits. Unlike other sugar-free alternatives which usually have bitter after-taste, these do not have it. This makes these, even more, consumer-friendly and a healthy option of choice.

The products include chewing gums, candies, ice cream, baked goods and fruit spreads. In addition, these function well in fillings and frostings, canned fruits, beverages, yogurt and table-top sweeteners.

These are also used in toothpastes, mouthwashes and pharmaceutical products such as cough syrups and throat lozenges. In addition, some functional foods or nutraceuticals are also sweetened with them.

Important statistics

Sugar has a Glycaemic Index (GI) of 65, while Xylitol and Maltitol have less than 10.2. A high glycaemic index means that it can raise blood glucose levels.

Sugar provides approximately 4.0 calories per gram, whereas polyols (with the exception of erythritol) provide about 2.4 kilocalories per gram. Xylitol provides 2.4 calories per gram and Maltitol has 2.1 calories per gram.

Health benefits

In addition to their sweet taste and unique functional properties, polyols like Xylitol and Maltitol offer important health benefits. Unlike general sugar-free sweeteners, these do not have any bitter-after taste.