Tag: Polyol

According to WebMD, glycerol is a sugar alcohol and a type of carbohydrate. This colorless, odorless, and sweet-tasting liquid is often mistaken for a traditional sugar, but its unique chemical structure and metabolic pathway set it apart, clarifying what kind of sugar is glycerol.

According to European Union regulations, glycerine is labeled as providing 2.4 calories per gram, which differs from U.S. labeling rules. This variation highlights the complexity in determining what is the energy value of glycerine, a sugar alcohol widely used in the food industry.

Globally, over 50 countries approve the use of erythritol as a food additive. The additive number for erythritol is an important detail for food manufacturers and consumers alike, providing a standardized identifier for this low-calorie sweetener. Understanding what these numbers mean and how they apply helps in deciphering ingredient lists on a variety of food products.

Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol also known as glucitol, is a water-soluble carbohydrate naturally produced by plants and found in many fruits and vegetables. However, while naturally occurring, it is also widely manufactured for use in a variety of processed goods.

Naturally occurring in trace amounts in fibrous fruits, vegetables, and hardwoods like birch, xylitol is indeed a sugar alcohol, also known as a polyol. This crystalline compound, with a sweetness similar to table sugar but fewer calories, has become a popular sugar alternative for a variety of health-conscious reasons.

Despite its sweet taste and caloric value, sorbitol is not considered an added sugar by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This sugar alcohol, or polyol, is distinct from added sugars in its chemical structure and how the body metabolizes it, which is crucial for those monitoring sugar intake.

Approximately one-third of the polyols consumed are poorly absorbed in the human small intestine, a key reason why xylitol is classified as a high-FODMAP sugar alcohol that can trigger significant digestive symptoms.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), erythritol is a food additive that has been classified as 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS). Erythritol is, in fact, a type of sugar alcohol, or polyol, a class of carbohydrates that are used as low-calorie sweeteners. However, despite its name, it is neither a sugar nor an alcohol in the traditional sense, a distinction that is crucial for understanding its function and effects on the body.

Mannitol is indeed a sugar alcohol, or polyol, used as a sweetener, but it's only about 50–70% as sweet as table sugar. This white, crystalline powder is a common ingredient in a variety of sugar-free foods due to its low-calorie content and unique properties.

Mannitol is a polyol, or sugar alcohol, that contains about 60 percent fewer calories than sugar and is roughly half as sweet. This versatile ingredient is utilized widely in the food industry for its unique properties that go far beyond simple sweetness.