For decades, has been a popular alternative to ordinary sugar.
In fact, many studies show also help improve health.
This article will give a detailed look at sugar alcohol derivatives and their health benefits.
what?
Alcohol derivatives of sugar (or "polyol") are of various types carbohydrates sweet.
As the name suggests, they are a mixture of sugar molecules and alcohol molecules.
Although there is a word "alcohol" in the name, they do not contain a bit Well, this is a kind of drunken substance. Alcohol derivatives of sugar are safe for alcoholics.
Some types of sugar derivatives are also found naturally in fruits and vegetables.
However, most sugar derivatives are industrially produced, where they are made from other sugars, such as glucose in corn starch.
This is an image of alcohol derivatives of sugar in the form of white crystals, like sugar:
Because the sugar derivative of sugar has the same chemical structure as white sugar, it can activate receptors that create sweetness on the tongue.
Unlike artificial sweeteners and diets, alcohol derivatives of sugar calories , just less than daily sugar.
Conclude: Sugar alcohol derivatives are sweetened carbohydrates found in nature or made from other sugars. They are widely used as a sweetener.
Alcohol derivatives of sugar in modern diets
There are many types of alcohol derivatives of different sugars used as sweeteners.
There are several differences between them, such as taste, calories and health benefits .
Xylitol
Xylitol is the most popular and studied sugar alcohol derivative.
It has a distinct mint flavor and is a popular ingredient in sugarless gum, mint and oral care products like toothpaste.
It tastes as sweet as daily sugar, but has 40% less calories. In addition to some gastrointestinal symptoms when consumed heavily, xylitol is a good tolerant .
Erythritol
Erythritol is a type of alcohol derivative of other sugars that is considered to have great taste.
Erythritol is treated by fermenting glucose in corn starch. It has 70% sweetness of sugar, but only 5% of calories.
Along with sweet grass Stevia With low calorie, erythritol is the main ingredient in the popular sweetener mixture called Truvia .
Erythritol does not have digestive side effects like most other alcohol derivatives, because it does not reach the large intestine.
Instead, most of them are absorbed into the bloodstream, then excreted entirely in urine sugar .
Sorbitol
is a wine derivative of smooth sugar and cool taste. This is a common ingredient in non-sugar foods and beverages, including jellies and fondant.
It affects very little blood sugar and insulin, but can cause significant gastrointestinal disorders.
Maltitol
Made from malt sugar, the taste and feel of eating in the mouth is very similar to the sugar used daily.
It has 90% sweetness like sugar, with almost half the calories. Although products containing maltitol can be considered "sugar free," it is still well absorbed by the body and causes a spike in blood sugar levels.
If you have diabetes, be skeptical of "low-carb" products that have the maltitol sweetener and make sure to monitor your blood sugar carefully.
Types of alcohol derivatives of other sugar
Other types of alcohol derivatives are commonly found in some foods including mannitol, isomalt, lactitol and hydrogenated starch hydrolysis products.
Conclude: There are many types of alcohol derivatives of sugar common in modern diets. These include xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, maltitol and many others.
Sugar alcohol derivatives have a low blood sugar index and do not spike blood sugar or insulin
The glycemic index is a measure of how long a food raises blood sugar.
Eating foods with high blood sugar index causes obesity and many metabolic health problems .
The chart below shows the glycemic index of some types of sugar derivatives compared to daily sugars and pure glucose: 
As can be seen, most types of sugar derivatives do not significantly affect blood sugar levels. In the case of erythritol and mannitol, the glycemic index is 0.
The only exception is maltitol, which has a blood sugar index of 36. However, it is still very low compared to daily sugar and refined carbohydrates.
For people with metabolic syndrome, prediabetes or diabetes, alcohol derivatives of sugar (except maltitol) are considered a great alternative to daily sugar.
Conclude: Most types of sugar derivatives have little or no effect on blood sugar and insulin, except maltitol.
Alcohol derivatives of sugar help improve dental health
Tooth decay is a side effect of excessive sugar consumption.
Sugar helps nourish some bacteria inside the mouth, make them proliferate and release acid that corrode the protective enamel on the teeth.
In contrast, sugar derivatives such as xylitol, erythritol and sorbitol can help fight cavities . This is one of the main reasons they are so popular in chewing gum and toothpaste products.
Xylitol is known for its well-studied oral health effects .
"Bad" bacteria in the mouth can actually absorb xylitol, but they cannot metabolize it, thereby obstructing metabolism and preventing their development .
Erythritol has not been extensively studied as xylitol, but several studies that lasted for 3 years at 485 students showed that it had a better protective effect against cavities than xylitol and sorbitol .
Conclude: Xylitol, erythritol and sorbitol help improve oral health. Xylitol is the most studied, but there is some evidence that erythritol is most effective.
Other health benefits of sugar derivatives
There are a few other benefits that are worth highlighting.
- Prebiotic: helps nourish beneficial bacteria in the intestine, has prebiotic effects like food fiber .
- Bone health: Many studies in mice have shown that xylitol helps increase bone mass and mineral content in bones, helping to prevent osteoporosis .
- Skin health: Collagen is the main protein structure in the skin and connective tissues. Studies in mice show that xylitol helps increase collagen production .
Conclude: Helps nourish bacteria in the intestinal tract, it has also been shown to benefit bones and skin in animal studies.
Alcohol derivatives of sugar can cause digestive problems
The main drawback of are they can cause digestive problems, especially when used in large amounts.
The body cannot digest all of them, so some will move to the large intestine and be metabolized by intestinal bacteria.
If used a lot In a short time may lead to symptoms such as deflated, flatulence and diarrhea.
If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or are sensitive to FODMAP, consider avoiding it .
Sorbitol and maltitol are the biggest culprits causing the above symptoms, while erythyritol is the opposite.
Conclude: When used in large quantities, most types All cause digestive problems. This also depends on the individual, as well as each type of sugar derivative of sugar.
Xylitol is toxic to dogs
When dogs use xylitol, their bodies think it's sugar and start producing large amounts of insulin.
As the amount of insulin increases, the cells in the dog's body begin to pull sugar from the blood.
This causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and can be fatal .
If you have a dog, try to keep xylitol out of their range or throw it away completely.
This does not apply to other animals, it also applies only to xylitol, not to other types other.
Which is the best derivative of wine?
In all categories erythritol clearly leads.
It almost does not contain calories, does not affect blood sugar and causes less digestive problems than other types.
Erythritol is also very good for teeth, it is also not harmful to dogs.
Also, erythritol tastes pretty good. It's basically like sugar without calories.
