Maltitol

Malitol and Tooth Decay

According to the Calorie Control Council, a nonprofit trade group organized in 1966, maltitol and other sugar alcohols don't react with oral bacteria in the same way normal sugar does. Because of this, the acids that occur when regular sugar is broken down do not occur with maltitol. This helps to prevent cavities and erosion of tooth enamel.

Maltitol has proven so popular as a sugar substitute that even the American Dental Association promotes its use. Furthermore the Food and Drug Administration has approved labeling for sugar-free foods containing maltitol as not promoting tooth decay.

Supplements Which Contain Malitol

Because maltitol is generally used as a sugar substitute, you won't find it on the shelf as a nutritional or dietary supplement in large numbers. Malitol is most commonly used as an ingredient in sports drinks or energy bars as a sweetener.

Proponents of maltitol for this purpose claim that the substance is not utilized by the body in the same way as the standard sucrose. Therefore they claim that there is no rise in blood glucose levels and no subsequent weight gain from ingesting it.

Despite a lower calorie count, maltitol does provide the same amount of carbohydrates which could result in increased blood glucose levels. It is interesting to note that the American Diabetes Association has not weighed in on the subject given the fact that maltitol is promoted as a safe sugar alternative to diabetics.

A small number of dietary supplements focusing on colon health and regularity sometimes use maltitol as an ingredient. That's because the substance, ingested at high enough dosages, is a fairly productive laxative.

Exactly how much maltitol is contained in one of these supplements is not easy to say, since such supplements are hard to find. You can find maltitol syrup as a laxative on some pharmacy shelves. Taking a laxative substance may have an immediate and physical impact that may not have anything to do with good colon health or a healthy digestive tract.

Weight Loss and Maltitol

As previously mentioned, maltitol is a carbohydrate. And depending on who you talk to, its carbohydrate level can be as high as regular table sugar. For this reason many of the critics of maltitol suggest that it can ruin the diet of someone trying to lose weight, rather than help.

Furthermore, critics point out dieters may be more prone to overeat, or eat between meals, because they believe that maltitol is calorie-free. Such misconceptions make it easy for dieters to be unsuccessful in achieving their goals despite promises to the contrary.

Malitol and the Glycemic Index

One of the other big concerns of maltitol is the fact that it has a high glycemic index. That means it is broken down quickly and releases glucose into the blood stream very rapidly. Depending on what form the maltitol takes, it can have a glycemic index as high as 52 or as low as 36.

Table sugar, known as glucose, has a glycemic index of 60 in any form.  Most other artificial sweeteners, other than sugar alcohols, are substantially lower. Therefore, critics believe that maltitol could be as much of a problem for diabetics as table sugar.

Side Effects of using Maltitol

In 2001 the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study regarding the possible side effects of ingesting maltitol in high doses. The study concluded that a daily dose of just 40g per day could cause stomach pain and other abdominal discomfort in adults. It should be noted that the discomfort and pain is generally considered minor and goes away after the maltitol has made its way through the system.

There are other minor side effects associated with maltitol including diarrhea, flatulence, and bloating. These side effects are common with most sugar alcohols, which is why so many of them are used in laxative products. Like the abdominal pain, the symptoms are relatively minor and do not last very long.

Users who experience persistent side effects may be reacting adversely to maltitol and should discontinue its use immediately. Under no circumstances should maltitol syrup be used as a laxative without the direct supervision of a doctor!

Trying to avoid conventional sugar? To locate nutritional supplements and energy bars which are sweetened with malitol, use the supplement finder now!