Tag: Polyols

A significant percentage of the population experiences digestive discomfort from polyol consumption, but their reputation isn't all bad. So, are polyols bad for you? The answer depends on individual sensitivity, dosage, and the specific type of sugar alcohol consumed.

Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are a type of carbohydrate with a chemical structure resembling both sugar and alcohol, but they do not contain ethanol, the intoxicating compound found in alcoholic beverages. This crucial distinction means that, despite the misleading name, consuming products with sugar alcohol will not lead to intoxication or raise your blood alcohol content.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after a meal helps protect against tooth decay. For those wondering what sweetener is in Ice Cubes gum, the answer is not a single ingredient but a combination of sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.

Sugar alcohols are only partially absorbed by the body, providing fewer calories per gram than regular sugar. This incomplete absorption is the key to understanding how to calculate sugar alcohol to determine net carbs for low-carb and diabetic diets.

Did you know that despite their name, sugar-free chewing gum does not contain the same type of alcohol found in beer, wine, or spirits? The ingredient in question is a class of sweeteners known as sugar alcohols, which provide sweetness without the intoxicating effects, making the term a source of common confusion.

Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a type of carbohydrate categorized as a sugar alcohol or polyol, a detail important for anyone considering its dietary impact. While it shares a chemical class with other polyols, its distinct absorption and metabolic pathway set it apart from its counterparts.

According to the American Heart Association, most people consume far more sugar than is recommended, pushing many to seek alternatives like sugar alcohol. But what is sugar alcohol, and is it truly a healthy choice or potentially bad for you?

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ethanol is most commonly produced by fermenting the sugar in grains like corn and sugarcane, and is used mainly as a fuel. Therefore, the phrase "ethanol sugar" is misleading and confuses ethyl alcohol with sugar alcohols, also known as polyols.

Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are a type of carbohydrate with fewer calories than sugar and are only partially digested. While they occur naturally in many fruits and vegetables, they are also produced commercially and added to many processed foods labeled 'sugar-free' or 'low-calorie'. Knowing which foods are high in sugar alcohols is essential for those managing certain health conditions or sensitive to their digestive effects.

According to Monash University, the gold standard for FODMAP research, a serving of blueberries up to 1 cup (150g) is considered low FODMAP and is well-tolerated by most people. This is because while blueberries naturally contain a small amount of the polyol sorbitol, it is not present in levels high enough to cause digestive distress for the majority of individuals.