Did you know...
Today we talk about sugar alcohols (or polyols), sugar found in nature that are primarily used in the confectionery industry as sweeteners. Very often we find them also in food supplements, particularly in protein bars. Sugar alcohols are divided into monosaccharides (mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol) and disaccharide (maltitol, lactitol).
These substances are considered "safe" in sense that they have no form of contraindication for the human body.
The benefits that are attributed to these sweeteners are:
- - low energy value
- - are not cariogenic (often they are used in chewing gum)
- - their metabolism is independent of insulin, therefore making them also suitable for diabetics
The contraindication of these sweeteners can be their laxative effect, if used in particular for sport supplements, caused by the recall of water due to osmotic effect that can be caused.
In particular mannitol is absorbed with difficulty by the body and can have a laxative effect assuming an amount of 10g-20g. The sorbitol and xylitol have a laxative effect, but at higher volumes equal to about 50g, while maltitol reaches 100g.
Another possible contraindication that may have when taken before or during exercise is caused by their slow absorption.