Nutrition Diet: What is Another Name for Maltitol?

October 14, 2025 •

6 min read

With the global push toward reduced sugar consumption, alternative sweeteners have become a kitchen staple, and maltitol is one of the most frequently used sugar alcohols in processed foods. Understanding what is another name for maltitol is the first step toward deciphering the labels on 'sugar-free' products and making informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

This article explores maltitol, a polyol used as a sugar substitute, detailing its various names and chemical composition. It covers its nutritional advantages, such as lower calories and a reduced glycemic impact, as well as common side effects like digestive issues. The content compares maltitol with other popular sweeteners and offers guidance on its appropriate place within a balanced diet.

Key Points

Alternative Names: Maltitol is also known as hydrogenated maltose, hydrogenated glucose syrup, and by brand names like Maltisweet, or by its European additive code E965.
Fewer Calories: It provides about half the calories of regular sugar, making it beneficial for those aiming to reduce their caloric intake.
Lower Glycemic Index: With a glycemic index lower than sugar, maltitol causes a slower and less intense rise in blood glucose, which is helpful for managing diabetes.
Digestive Side Effects: Excessive consumption of maltitol can lead to gastrointestinal issues, including bloating, gas, and a laxative effect.
Not for Strict Keto: Due to its glycemic impact and carbohydrate content, maltitol is not ideal for strict ketogenic diets compared to zero-GI sweeteners like erythritol.
Versatile Use: It is a key ingredient in many 'sugar-free' products, including chocolate, candy, and baked goods, due to its sugar-like properties and heat stability.

The Science Behind Maltitol: What is Another Name for Maltitol?

Maltitol, a popular bulk sweetener used to replace sucrose, is a sugar alcohol known scientifically as a polyol. It is important for consumers to recognize its different aliases when checking ingredient lists. Officially, its chemical name is 4-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-D-sorbitol, which highlights its structure as a disaccharide created from one glucose molecule and one sorbitol molecule.

In food products and ingredient listings, other names for maltitol include:

Hydrogenated maltose: This name describes the production process, where maltose is hydrogenated to create maltitol.
Hydrogenated glucose syrup: When produced from corn syrup (a mix of carbohydrates), the resulting blend containing maltitol is often called this.
E965: This is the food additive code for maltitol in Europe.
Maltisweet and SweetPearl: These are common brand names under which maltitol is sold.

How Maltitol Fits into a Nutritional Diet

As a replacement for regular sugar, maltitol offers a similar sweet taste but with significant nutritional differences. It is valued by manufacturers for its bulking properties and pleasant, clean sweetness, which is about 75–90% as sweet as sucrose. This allows it to be used as a 1:1 replacement for sugar in many recipes, particularly in the production of sugar-free chocolates, candies, and baked goods.

Nutritional Profile and Glycemic Impact

One of the main benefits of maltitol is its lower caloric value. While sugar contains 4 calories per gram, maltitol typically provides about 2 to 3 calories per gram, though exact values can vary by region. This makes it a useful tool for weight management, provided overall calorie intake is monitored.

Maltitol also has a lower glycemic index (GI) than table sugar. Regular sugar has a GI of around 65, while the GI of maltitol ranges from 35 (for powder) to 52 (for syrup), depending on the form and purity. This means it causes a less dramatic and slower rise in blood glucose and insulin levels compared to sucrose, making it a viable option for diabetics.

Benefits and Potential Drawbacks of Maltitol

Health Benefits

Doesn't promote tooth decay: Unlike sugar, maltitol is not easily metabolized by oral bacteria, so it does not produce the acid that leads to cavities. The FDA even recognizes this benefit, allowing a 'does not promote tooth decay' claim for products containing it.
Lower caloric intake: Its lower calorie density can help individuals reduce their energy intake without sacrificing sweetness, supporting weight-control efforts.
Reduced blood sugar spikes: The slower absorption of maltitol means a more gradual rise in blood glucose, which is a key advantage for those managing diabetes.

Potential Side Effects

Gastrointestinal distress: The most well-known side effect of maltitol is digestive upset, which can include bloating, gas, cramps, and diarrhea, particularly with excessive intake. This happens because the sugar alcohol is not fully absorbed in the small intestine and gets fermented by bacteria in the large intestine.
Laxative effect: The laxative effect is significant enough that products containing more than 10% added polyols, including maltitol, are required to carry a warning label in many regions.
Carb content for keto: While lower in net carbs than sugar, maltitol is still a carbohydrate and not considered the most keto-friendly sweetener due to its higher glycemic impact compared to alternatives like erythritol.

Maltitol vs. Other Sugar Alcohols: A Comparison

To make an informed choice, it's helpful to compare maltitol with some of its common polyol counterparts.


Feature	Maltitol	Erythritol	Xylitol	Sorbitol
Sweetness	~75–90% of sugar	~60–80% of sugar	~90% of sugar	~50–60% of sugar
Calories (per gram)	~2.1-3	~0.2	~2.4	~2.6
Glycemic Index (GI)	35–52	0	<10	<10
Digestive Tolerance	Moderate to low; can cause gas and laxative effects in excess	High; causes minimal issues	Low; significant digestive issues with higher doses	Low; significant laxative effects
Cooling Sensation	Minimal	High	High	High

Navigating Maltitol in Your Diet

For individuals incorporating maltitol into their nutritional diet, awareness and moderation are key. While it offers a palatable alternative to sugar, it's not a calorie-free magic bullet and requires careful consideration.

Reading Labels

Check for multiple names: Look for maltitol, maltitol syrup, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate (for syrup), or the additive code E965.
Beware of sugar-free claims: Just because a product is labeled 'sugar-free' doesn't mean it is free of calories or has no glycemic impact. Always read the nutrition label and ingredient list.
Acknowledge the laxative warning: The presence of the required laxative warning label indicates a higher concentration of polyols, which may cause digestive issues.

For Diabetics and Keto Dieters

Monitor blood sugar: The American Diabetes Association recommends monitoring blood sugar levels after consuming foods with sugar alcohols to determine your individual response.
Count total carbs, not just 'net carbs': For those on a keto diet, counting total carbohydrates is a more reliable approach, as maltitol can still raise blood glucose levels.
Prefer lower-GI alternatives: Those with diabetes or following a strict keto diet may find alternatives like erythritol or stevia to be more suitable, as they have a negligible impact on blood sugar.

Conclusion

What is another name for maltitol? In addition to its formal chemical name and food additive code, it is often marketed under brand names like Maltisweet and referred to by its syrup form as hydrogenated maltose. As a sugar alcohol, maltitol presents a viable option for those seeking a lower-calorie, tooth-friendly alternative to sugar, with a cleaner taste profile than some other substitutes. However, it is not without its limitations, notably the potential for digestive discomfort when consumed in excess. Navigating maltitol and other sugar alcohols requires understanding their impact on blood sugar and total caloric intake, especially for individuals managing diabetes or following specific dietary plans. By reading labels diligently and practicing moderation, maltitol can be a useful component of a balanced nutrition diet. For further information on food additives and nutrition, consult authoritative sources like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Comparison Table


Feature	Maltitol	Erythritol	Xylitol	Sorbitol
Sweetness	~75–90% of sugar	~60–80% of sugar	~90% of sugar	~50–60% of sugar
Calories (per gram)	~2.1-3	~0.2	~2.4	~2.6
Glycemic Index (GI)	35–52	0	<10	<10
Digestive Tolerance	Moderate to low; can cause gas and laxative effects in excess	High; causes minimal issues	Low; significant digestive issues with higher doses	Low; significant laxative effects
Cooling Sensation	Minimal	High	High	High

Common Applications of Maltitol

Here are some of the food products where you are most likely to find maltitol:

Sugar-free chocolates and candies: Its similar properties to sucrose, like high melting point and neutral taste, make it an ideal replacement in confectionery.
Baked goods: Used in low-sugar cookies and cakes, its ability to retain moisture helps extend shelf life and maintain a soft texture.
Chewing gum: Its non-cariogenic nature is a key reason for its inclusion in sugar-free gum and toothpaste.
Ice cream and frozen desserts: Maltitol helps prevent the formation of ice crystals, contributing to a creamy texture.
Protein and nutrition bars: Frequently used as a low-calorie sweetener and thickener in these processed foods.
Pharmaceuticals: Found as an excipient and low-calorie sweetening agent in syrups and tablets.

How to Moderately Consume Maltitol

To minimize potential side effects and get the most from this sweetener, consider these tips:

Start with small amounts: Gradually introduce maltitol to your diet to assess your individual digestive tolerance.
Read ingredient labels: Check the packaging for the 'excessive consumption may have a laxative effect' warning, especially on products like diet candies, which often contain high concentrations.
Be aware of overall intake: If you consume multiple products containing sugar alcohols in a day, the cumulative effect can increase the risk of digestive issues.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help mitigate some of the osmotic effects in the gut.

Authoritative Link: The Calorie Control Council on Maltitol

This authoritative link provides additional information on maltitol and its use as a sweetener, corroborating the safety and application details discussed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Maltitol is a sugar alcohol that is about 75-90% as sweet as sugar but contains fewer calories (around 2-3 kcal/g compared to sugar's 4 kcal/g). Unlike sugar, it does not promote tooth decay and causes a slower, less significant rise in blood glucose.

Yes, maltitol does affect blood sugar levels, though its impact is less pronounced than that of sugar. It has a lower glycemic index and is absorbed more slowly, resulting in a more gradual rise in blood glucose.

Maltitol is not the best choice for a strict keto diet. While it's lower in calories than sugar, it is a carbohydrate with a higher glycemic index than other keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol, and can interfere with ketosis.

Excessive consumption of maltitol can cause various gastrointestinal problems, such as bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, and a laxative effect. Products with high amounts are often required to carry a warning label.

Maltitol is used because its sweetness and physical properties are very similar to sugar, without the same caloric load. It works well in confectionery because it's heat-stable, non-crystallizing, and provides a smooth texture.

Yes, maltitol is generally considered safe for people with diabetes, but it should be consumed in moderation. Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar response, as maltitol can still have an effect on glucose levels.

Commercially, maltitol is produced by the hydrogenation of maltose, which is itself derived from starch found in sources like corn or wheat.