Over the millennia, sweet foods have enabled humans to survive; sugar in the form of glucose is the main fuel our bodies use for energy, and adding sugar to food acts as a preservative. Most people would probably say that sugar is the nice taste of food.

This pleasant, sweet taste has led to thousands of foods, drinks, and snacks brimming with refined and purified plant-based sugars such as corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, white cane, and coconut sugar. beet (“sucrose”). Although tasty, consuming sugar increases insulin levels, which can contribute to major problems like obesity and diabetes, as well as dental cavities.

Consumer demand for alternative sources of sugar has led to the development of sugar substitutes. Let’s demystify one: “polyols”, also known as “sugar alcohols”.

Contrary to their name, sugar alcohols are not sugar and do not contain alcohol. Some sugar alcohols come from plant products such as fruits and vegetables, but most are artificial.

Sugar alcohols are used as a substitute for sugar in a wide range of food products, including chocolates, ice cream, baked goods, chewing gum, candies, mints, cough drops and even toothpaste. Common names for sugar alcohols include sorbitol, xylitol, isomalt, and mannitol.

As a sugar substitute, they have about 2 calories/gram, or about half the calories of regular sugar and other sweeteners like brown sugar, honey, or syrups. Other benefits include fewer calories, easier blood sugar management, and less dental risk.

Although sugar alcohols can be a safe modification to your diet, they are not a slam dunk and should be consumed in moderation. Unlike sugars naturally found in plant and dairy products, sugar alcohols are not fully digested and overconsumption can cause mild to moderate gas and bloating.

Since sugar alcohols aren’t really sugars by a chemist’s definition, they aren’t included in the total grams of sugar on a product’s label. A food manufacturer may claim “sugar free” on the label with sugar alcohols present, if there are no other sugars in the food. You’ll often see it on foods that are normally high in sugar, like baked goods, candy, and chewing gum.

In summary, modest amounts of products containing sugar alcohols can be consumed as part of a healthy diet. Talk to your health care provider or registered dietitian about a healthy diet that supports your unique condition and lifestyle.

Lynn Norton is a Registered Dietitian at Barton Health, providing personalized nutritional therapy and counseling services based on each person’s unique needs and goals. One-on-one virtual counseling is available. To schedule, call 530-543-5824.