Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers, with emphasis on low glycaemic properties
- PMID: 19087388
- DOI: 10.1079/NRR200371
Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers, with emphasis on low glycaemic properties
Abstract
Abstract Polyols are hydrogenated carbohydrates used as sugar replacers. Interest now arises because of their multiple potential health benefits. They are non-cariogenic (sugar-free tooth-friendly), low-glycaemic (potentially helpful in diabetes and cardiovascular disease), low-energy and low-insulinaemic (potentially helpful in obesity), low-digestible (potentially helpful in the colon), osmotic (colon-hydrating, laxative and purifying) carbohydrates. Such potential health benefits are reviewed. A major focus here is the glycaemic index (GI) of polyols as regards the health implications of low-GI foods. The literature on glycaemia and insulinaemia after polyol ingestion was analysed and expressed in the GI and insulinaemic index (II) modes, which yielded the values: erythritol 0, 2; xylitol 13, 11; sorbitol 9, 11; mannitol 0, 0; maltitol 35, 27; isomalt 9, 6; lactitol 6, 4; polyglycitol 39, 23. These values are all much lower than sucrose 65, 43 or glucose 100, 100. GI values on replacing sucrose were independent of both intake (up to 50 g) and the state of carbohydrate metabolism (normal, type 1 with artificial pancreas and type 2 diabetes mellitus). The assignment of foods and polyols to GI bands is considered, these being: high (> 70), intermediate (> 55-70), low (> 40-55), and very low (< 40) including non-glycaemic; the last aims to target particularly low-GI-carbohydrate-based foods. Polyols ranged from low to very low GI. An examination was made of the dietary factors affecting the GI of polyols and foods. Polyol and other food GI values could be used to estimate the GI of food mixtures containing polyols without underestimation. Among foods and polyols a departure of II from GI was observed due to fat elevating II and reducing GI. Fat exerted an additional negative influence on GI, presumed due to reduced rates of gastric emptying. Among the foods examined, the interaction was prominent with snack foods; this potentially damaging insulinaemia could be reduced using polyols. Improved glycated haemoglobin as a marker of glycaemic control was found in a 12-week study of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients consuming polyol, adding to other studies showing improved glucose control on ingestion of low-GI carbohydrate. In general some improvement in long-term glycaemic control was discernible on reducing the glycaemic load via GI by as little as 15-20 g daily. Similar amounts of polyols are normally acceptable. Although polyols are not essential nutrients, they contribute to clinically recognised maintenance of a healthy colonic environment and function. A role for polyols and polyol foods to hydrate the colonic contents and aid laxation is now recognised by physicians. Polyols favour saccharolytic anaerobes and aciduric organisms in the colon, purifying the colon of endotoxic, putrefying and pathological organisms, which has clinical relevance. Polyols also contribute towards short-chain organic acid formation for a healthy colonic epithelium. Polyol tooth-friendliness and reduced energy values are affirmed and add to the potential benefits. In regard to gastrointestinal tolerance, food scientists and nutritionists, physicians, and dentists have in their independent professional capacities each now described sensible approaches to the use and consumption of polyols.
Similar articles
-
Improved metabolic control after 12-week dietary intervention with low glycaemic isomalt in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Horm Metab Res. 2009 Dec;41(12):886-92. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1234107. Epub 2009 Aug 21. Horm Metab Res. 2009. PMID: 19701877 Clinical Trial.
-
Glycemic index and glycemic load: measurement issues and their effect on diet-disease relationships.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Dec;61 Suppl 1:S122-31. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602942. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007. PMID: 17992183 Review.
-
Dietary carbohydrate: relationship to cardiovascular disease and disorders of carbohydrate metabolism.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Dec;61 Suppl 1:S100-11. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602940. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007. PMID: 17992181 Review.
-
Dose-related gastrointestinal response to the ingestion of either isomalt, lactitol or maltitol in milk chocolate.Eur J Clin Nutr. 1996 Jan;50(1):17-21. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1996. PMID: 8617186 Clinical Trial.
-
Glycaemic index of foods.Eur J Clin Nutr. 1992 Oct;46 Suppl 2:S91-101. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1992. PMID: 1330533 Review.
Cited by
-
Effects of a 5-week intake of erythritol and xylitol on vascular function, abdominal fat and glucose tolerance in humans with obesity: a pilot trial.BMJ Nutr Prev Health. 2023 Nov 14;6(2):264-272. doi: 10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000764. eCollection 2023. BMJ Nutr Prev Health. 2023. PMID: 38618550 Free PMC article.
-
Physicochemical and Sensory Stability Evaluation of Gummy Candies Fortified with Mountain Germander Extract and Prebiotics.Polymers (Basel). 2024 Jan 17;16(2):259. doi: 10.3390/polym16020259. Polymers (Basel). 2024. PMID: 38257059 Free PMC article.
-
Comparison of Storage-Related Volatile Profiles and Sensory Properties of Cookies Containing Xylitol or Sucrose.Foods. 2023 Nov 26;12(23):4270. doi: 10.3390/foods12234270. Foods. 2023. PMID: 38231744 Free PMC article.
-
Leuconostoc citreum: A Promising Sourdough Fermenting Starter for Low-Sugar-Content Baked Goods.Foods. 2023 Dec 27;13(1):96. doi: 10.3390/foods13010096. Foods. 2023. PMID: 38201124 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Design of mobile and website health application devices for drug tolerability in hereditary fructose intolerance.Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2024 Jan 5;19(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s13023-023-03011-x. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2024. PMID: 38183105 Free PMC article.
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources