Sugar Alcohol

Sugar FlaskIf your protein bar of choice is loaded with sugar alcohols, then re-think that bar. Most people don’t even know what sugar alcohols are. Sugar alcohols are neither sugars nor alcohols. What are sugar alcohols? “A sugar alcohol (also known as a polyol, polyhydric alcohol, or polyalcohol) is a hydrogenated form of carbohydrate, whose carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone, reducing sugar) has been reduced to a primary or secondary hydroxyl group (hence the alcohol). Sugar alcohols have the general formula H (HCHO) n+1H, whereas sugars have H (HCHO)nHCO. In commercial foodstuffs sugar alcohols are commonly used in place of table sugar (sucrose), often in combination with high intensity artificial sweeteners to counter the low sweetness.” (Ref: Wikipedia)

Now, the definition above is great for understanding the scientific meaning of sugar alcohols but what does all that information mean?  It means by using sugar alcohols in protein bars, you can still get the sweetness of sugar with approximately only ½ the calories of real sugar. Sound good? Well, if you enjoy bloating, diarrhea and flatulence, then we say stick with your protein bar. An over consumption of sugar alcohols, like many other incompletely digestible substances, can cause bloating, diarrhea and flatulence because they are not absorbed in the small intestine “The American Dietetic Association advises that greater than 50g/day of sorbitol or greater than 20g/day of mannitol may cause diarrhea.”

The most commonly used sugar alcohols include sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, maltitol syrup, lactitol, erythritol, isomalt and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates [HSH]. Recognize any of these from your protein bar? Does your protein bar carry a disclaimer that says “may cause gastrointestinal discomfort?” We hope not. Using sugar alcohols in protein bars also lets a company make a cheaper product, allows them to list lower carbs or lower sugar and then they add maltitol syrup and hydrolyzed collagen…yummy!

There is some good news regarding sugar alcohols…does not promote tooth decay! Here is our tip on tooth decay: Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Problem solved.

Try our sugar alcohol free: Muscle Brownies, Muscle Muffins and Complete Cookies.