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Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.23.2005
Question: I sometimes see references to sugar and sugar alcohol on the list of ingredients on food packages. What is sugar alcohol?
Answer: Sugar alcohols are a type of sugar replacer referred to as polyols, said Chris Rosenbloom, associate dean in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Georgia State University.
Polyol is a chemical name for sugars that are not well absorbed by the body, she explained. They're often used in sugar-free products or those claiming to have "zero" or "low" carbs.
Common sugar alcohols are xylitol (found in chewing gum) and sorbitol (candies, baked goods, jellies and jams). They have some calories, but because they're slowly digested and not well absorbed, they have about 2.5 calories per gram, compared to sugar with 4 calories per gram.
The only side effect, from very high doses (about 50 grams a day), is a laxative effect, Rosenbloom said.
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