www.lowcarb.co.nz

New Zealand Low Carb Ltd's sweetener is made from Isomalt, a polyol. It has the same texture as icing sugar and 70% the sweetness of sugar.

Sugar alcohols (otherwise known as polyols) are common ingredients in reduced carbohydrate products intended for low carb lifestyle (for example reduced carbohydrate lollies, chocolate and protein bars) and diabetic patients. Traditionally, they have also been used in liquid medicines instead of syrup. Sugar alcohols can be described as partially sugar and partially alcohol but they do not contain ethanol like alcoholic beverages. They are derived from other carbohydrates such as sucrose, glucose and starch.

The commonly used sugar alcohols are:

1. Monosaccharide-derived (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and erythritol);

2. Dissaccharide-derived (isomalt, lactitol, maltitol);

3. Polysaccharide (maltitol syrup, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates). Sugar alcohols are partially absorbed in the small intestine.

The residual sugar alcohols that are not absorbed are fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. Unabsorbed sugar alcohols can cause water retention in the large intestine and result in abdominal gas and diarrhoea (therefore, overconsumption of sugar alcohol-containing products can lead to abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea). When absorbed into the blood via the small intestine, these sugar alcohols are converted into energy by a process that requires minimal or no insulin at all.