Sorbitol and maltitol calorie content:
Sorbitol and maltitol have about ½ the calories of sugar with 2-3 calories per gram as opposed to 4 in sugar and may increase blood glucose.
How sorbitol and maltitol are made:
These sugar alcohols are found in fruits or can be produced from glucose
Sorbitol and maltitol adverse effects:
These sugar alcohols may result in excess gas production and diarrhea. They may also cause a laxative effect by pulling water into the intestines and predispose patients to dehydration.
Assessment and Plan: Natural and Artificial Sweeteners
- Artificial sweeteners are present in thousands of modern food products and may be associated with some adverse effects.
- The FDA has stated as of 2006 after a review of over 100 clinical and toxicology studies on aspartame, that there was “no scientific information that would support a change in our conclusions about the safety of aspartame.”
- Patients with a genetic disorder named phenylketonuria (PKU) are required to avoid aspartame which can increase phenylalanine amino acid levels which may result in mental retardation and other neurologic disorders.
- In patients with diabetes, aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame, neotame, advantame, stevia, erythritol and xylitol will not raise blood sugar.
- Sucralose may trigger migraines (4).
- Alcohol sugars sorbitol and maltitol may cause flatulence, diarrhea and dehydration.
- Consider use of xylitol or erythritol mouthwash, gum, or tablets to help prevent dental caries (13).
- Xylitol may be considered in the form of gum to help prevent ear infections in children (14), but more research is needed.
- As a sugar substitute, the best options appear to be erythritol, xylitol, stevia, or non-refined naturally derived sugars such as whole date powder, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or molasses.