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What is Maltitol Syrup?

C. Daw
C. Daw

Maltitol syrup is made from maltitol, a sugar alcohol or polyol used in low-carbohydrate, sugar-free products such as diet snacks, nutrition bars and candy. Like most sugar alternatives and low-carbohydrate sweeteners, maltitol has only a fraction of the carbohydrates in real sugar, but it is sweet enough to produce the equivalent taste in the products it is used in. Unlike real sugar, it does not contribute to tooth decay. As with all other food and cooking additives, though, studies show positive and negative aspects of using it.

The chief use of maltitol syrup is in low-carbohydrate food for dieters, but it can also be used by diabetic people who need to keep their sugar intake down. The sugar substitute is quite popular, but in recent times it has been the subject of some criticism. Studies have shown that it is not as low in carbohydrates as previously thought. Manufacturers have always said that one gram of maltitol syrup provides about two calories, which is half of the four calories provided by one gram of real sugar. However, actual analyses indicate that the number of calories per gram of maltitol is closer to three, not two.

Maltitol syrup side effects may include stomach cramps and diarrhea.
Maltitol syrup side effects may include stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Furthermore, maltitol syrup has a rather high glycemic index of 52, which is quite close to 60, the index for table sugar. Maltitol powder has a lower glycemic index of 36, but this is still higher than that of other artificial sweeteners. Because of these numbers, maltitol may not be as effective for dieting and reducing carbohydrate intake as people might think. Some people even claim that maltitol use may be the very reason why some dieters fail to reach their target weights despite their controlled diets.

The majority of a diabetic's diet should be composed of unprocessed foods, although the occasional sugar substitute is OK for most people.
The majority of a diabetic's diet should be composed of unprocessed foods, although the occasional sugar substitute is OK for most people.

Another related issue is the potential of side effects with maltitol. Some people who consume maltitol experience gastro-intestinal problems, particularly diarrhea. Others suffer from stomach cramps, intestinal gas and bloating. These things happen because like other sugar alcohols, maltitol syrup is very slowly absorbed in the digestive tract. Hence it can produce a laxative effect. When large quantities of maltitol are consumed, there is a greater probability that it will result in diarrhea. It is therefore recommended to take small amounts of maltitol at first to judge how your body will react to it. When no side effects are experienced, the amount taken may be gradually increased.

Side effects of maltitol may include abdominal bloating.
Side effects of maltitol may include abdominal bloating.

One can also try using alternatives to maltitol that have lower caloric content but come close to the sweetness of table sugar. Many dietitians recommend erythritol-based sweeteners such as sucralose. These sugar substitutes are also less likely to lead to the experience of gastro-intestinal side effects.

Discussion Comments

anon978167

@bluedolhip: I hope you are not being serious. You purchased a box of cookies and proceeded to eat eight of them. You then do not feel well and have diarrhea for the rest of the day. I'm not diabetic and if I were to eat eight traditional cookies I would probably feel pretty crappy, too. Sometimes you can't blame everyone else for your problems and you have to actually change your lifestyle.

Yes, it is unfortunate that you have diabetes, but that doesn't mean you can't live and eat healthy. That means not eating the majority of a box of cookies regardless of their claim for safety.

anon924058

Only a little bit of maltitol in "sugar free honey" made my mom's stomach pretty upset. It's not worth it.

burcinc

I'm on a low-carb diet and I don't have any problems when I eat maltitol sweetener. I use a pancake syrup that has maltitol syrup and I eat it several times a week with gluten-free pancakes.

literally45

Sugar alcohols, that is, sorbitol, xylitol and maltilol, all have the potential to cause diarrhea when consumed excessively. If you look at the label closely, this is mentioned.

As far as I know, maltitol doesn't get recognized by the body and should not raise blood sugar. But I've read that some people are able to metabolize sugar alcohols.

So the effects of maltitol syrup is going to be different for everyone. Everyone has to decide for themselves if it's safe for them or not.

bluedolphin

I'm a diabetic and last week, I bought a packet of diabetic cookies made with maltitol syrup. I don't get to enjoy sweet foods often so I was very excited. Since the packet said that it's safe for diabetics, I kind of went crazy and had too many. The cookies were small and I had about 8 of them.

I had terrible diarrhea for the rest of the day and I felt sick. When I checked my blood sugar it was higher than usual and I knew that the cookies were the culprit.

I feel cheated because these cookies are not really safe for diabetics and maltitol causes diarrhea. I think this sweetener should not be allowed on the market. At least products made with it should not be labeled as safe for diabetics.

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    • Maltitol syrup side effects may include stomach cramps and diarrhea.
      By: Photo_Ma
      Maltitol syrup side effects may include stomach cramps and diarrhea.
    • The majority of a diabetic's diet should be composed of unprocessed foods, although the occasional sugar substitute is OK for most people.
      By: Gordan Jankulov
      The majority of a diabetic's diet should be composed of unprocessed foods, although the occasional sugar substitute is OK for most people.
    • Side effects of maltitol may include abdominal bloating.
      By: sframe
      Side effects of maltitol may include abdominal bloating.
    • Because it has less side effects than maltitol, erythritol may be used as a zero calorie sweetener in beverages.
      By: verca
      Because it has less side effects than maltitol, erythritol may be used as a zero calorie sweetener in beverages.
    • As opposed to real sugar, maltitol syrup does not contribute to tooth decay.
      By: Sandor Kacso
      As opposed to real sugar, maltitol syrup does not contribute to tooth decay.