Sugar alcohols (polyols)
Sugar alcohols — sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, xylitol, erythritol, isomalt, lactitol — are polyols used as low-calorie sweeteners and bulking agents. They deliver 0.2–2.4 kcal/g versus sucrose's 4, cause a much smaller glucose response, and vary in fermentability and GI tolerance. All are NOVA Group 4 additives.
What polyols are
Sugar alcohols (polyols) are hydrogenated sugars: their carbonyl group is reduced to a hydroxyl, converting sugars to alcohols that keep most of the sweetness but resist absorption and metabolism. They contribute bulk, sweetness, and mouthfeel comparable to sucrose while delivering fewer calories and blunting the glycaemic response. Because they are used as bulk sweeteners (not just high-intensity flavour boosters), they appear high on ingredient lists and are structural to the products they sweeten.
The polyol lineup
| Polyol | kcal/g | Glycaemic Index | GI tolerance (per meal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erythritol | 0.2 | 0 | Up to ~50 g |
| Xylitol | 2.4 | 7–13 | ~20–30 g |
| Mannitol | 1.6 | ~0 | ~10–20 g |
| Sorbitol | 2.6 | ~9 | ~10–20 g |
| Maltitol | 2.1 | ~35 | ~30–40 g |
| Isomalt | 2.0 | ~9 | ~30 g |
| Lactitol | 2.0 | ~6 | ~25 g |
Regulatory status
All the polyols above are FDA GRAS or approved food additives and EFSA-authorised food additives (E420 sorbitol, E421 mannitol, E953 isomalt, E965 maltitol, E966 lactitol, E967 xylitol, E968 erythritol). EU labels require the statement "excessive consumption may produce laxative effects" when polyol content exceeds 10 g/100 g.
Cardiometabolic signals to watch
Witkowski and colleagues (Nature Medicine 2023;29:710–718) reported that plasma erythritol was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events in three independent cohorts, and that erythritol enhanced platelet reactivity and thrombosis in mechanistic assays. A follow-up on xylitol (Witkowski, European Heart Journal 2024;45:2439–2452) reported similar signals. Both papers are cohort-plus-mechanism, not RCT — regulators (EFSA, FDA) have so far not changed the approval status of either polyol, but the WHO 2023 non-sugar sweetener guideline note applies.
How NakedCalorie flags polyols
Every polyol is a NOVA Group 4 additive and counts toward the cosmetic-additive tally. The scan surfaces the specific polyol on the ingredient panel, and — when maltitol or isomalt is the primary sweetener — flags the glycaemic caveat. See erythritol and xylitol for the two polyols with the largest current safety debate.
Frequently asked questions
- Do sugar alcohols raise blood glucose?
- Some do, to varying degrees. Maltitol has a glycaemic index around 35 — meaningful in diabetes. Erythritol, mannitol, and xylitol are close to zero. The label 'sugar-free' does not mean 'glucose-neutral' — the specific polyol matters.
- Why do they cause GI upset?
- Most sugar alcohols are incompletely absorbed in the small intestine and reach the colon, where bacteria ferment them to short-chain fatty acids and gas. Osmotic water retention plus fermentation produces bloating, gas, and diarrhoea above person-specific thresholds. Erythritol is the exception: ~90% absorbed intact and excreted in urine.
- How many calories?
- US FDA figures: erythritol 0.2 kcal/g, mannitol 1.6, sorbitol 2.6, xylitol 2.4, maltitol 2.1, isomalt 2.0, lactitol 2.0. Compare with sucrose at 4 kcal/g.
- Is xylitol dangerous to dogs?
- Yes — even small amounts trigger insulin release and hypoglycaemia in dogs, and larger amounts cause acute liver failure. Sugar-free gum, peanut butter, and baked goods sweetened with xylitol should be kept away from pets.
- Are polyols tooth-friendly?
- Yes. Oral bacteria cannot ferment sugar alcohols to acid; xylitol in particular reduces Streptococcus mutans counts (Milgrom, Journal of the American Dental Association 2006;137:190–196). This is why sugar-free gum labels prominently claim 'tooth-friendly'.
Written by NakedCalorie editorial team.
Medically reviewed by Pending registered dietitian review — last reviewed July 15, 2026.
Educational information only, based on peer-reviewed literature and regulatory sources. Not medical advice.
Related in the knowledge base
- SweetenersErythritol (E968)
- SweetenersXylitol (E967)
- SweetenersAllulose (D-psicose)