Benefits of maltitol
Maltitol can give you a sweetness close to sugar, but with fewer calories. So it helps to lose weight. It also does not have the unpleasant taste that other sugar substitutes often have. If you want to lose weight or control diabetes, this can help you stick to a low-calorie diet. Maltitol and other sugar alcohols do not cause tooth decay or tooth decay like sugar and other sweeteners.
Precaution
Maltitol is considered a safe alternative to sugar, but you should pay attention to some precautions. Maltitol is found in many sugar-free products, but people with diabetes should remember that it is a carbohydrate. This means that it still has a glycemic index. Although not as high as sugar, it still has an effect on blood sugar. It should be noted that your body does not absorb as much sugar alcohol as sugar. Compared with sucrose and glucose, maltitol is not completely digested, leading to a slower rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. Therefore, it can still be used as an effective substitute for diabetic patients. Just monitor the intake and read the label. After consuming maltitol, some people experience stomach pain and flatulence. It can also act like a laxative and cause diarrhea. The severity of these side effects depends on how much you eat and how your body responds to it. There are no other major health problems with the use of maltitol or other sugar alcohols.
Alternatives to maltitol
Maltitol and sugar alcohol are generally used as ingredients. They are usually not used alone. Therefore, if you feel flatulence and stomachache due to maltitol, you can use some simple substitutes in cooking and baking. When you need to limit sugar intake to lose weight or suffer from diabetes, these alternatives can still help.
Stevia
Stevia is considered an emerging sweetener because it is a combination of other types of sweeteners. The stevia plant grows in South America. It is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar and contains no calories. Compared with sugar and other sweeteners, stevia does contain some nutrients, including:
- Potassium
- Zinc
- magnesium
- Vitamin B-3
The stevia plant is also a source of fiber and iron. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved refined stevia.
Erythritol
This is also a sugar alcohol. However, unlike maltitol, it has no glycemic index and has fewer calories. It usually does not cause stomach pain or flatulence. Since it is still a sugar alcohol, it does not have the unpleasant taste of artificial sweeteners.
Agave and other natural sweeteners
Agave nectar is considered a natural sweetener, but it can still be processed to a certain extent. It is one of the highest sources of refined fructose-not just sugar. Sugar contains about 50% refined fructose. Refined fructose consumption and:
- obesity
- Fatty liver
- diabetes
Honey, maple syrup and molasses are also natural sweeteners. They all contain varying amounts of refined fructose. Most of them, including honey, are very similar to sugar, including their calorie content. They should be used primarily for their taste, not to save calories.
Artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are manufactured and are usually much sweeter than sugar. They are very low-calorie or no-calorie substitutes for sugar and are ideal for dieters. They do not usually affect blood sugar levels, which makes them beneficial for diabetics. However, recent studies have shown that these sweeteners have an effect on intestinal bacteria and indirectly affect insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels over time. Although some artificial sweeteners contain warning labels indicating that they may have a negative effect on your health, most health agencies believe that there is not enough research to support this. They have been approved by the FDA to be safe for consumption.
in conclusion
Many people are trying to reduce their sugar intake due to weight loss and diabetes. Maltitol and other sugar alcohols may be suitable substitutes. However, if you have diabetes, be sure to discuss eating maltitol-containing foods with your healthcare provider and dietitian. They will be able to determine whether it is the best sugar substitute for you. They can also help you determine the optimal amount to eat to help you avoid unpleasant side effects. It is best to understand and read the label. Don't think that when the product says sugar-free it is calorie-free. Depending on the type of sweetener used, it may still contain calories and glycemic index, which can affect your weight loss goals or health conditions such as diabetes. If you want to better control the following situations, cooking at home is one of the best options:
- Sweetener
- Calorie intake
- Blood sugar level
You can make many great recipes yourself. You can use the sugar substitutes suggested by the recipe, or experiment with your favorites. When trying sweeteners, keep in mind that they each have a different sweetness. It may take a few tries to get the taste you like.
Recommended products containing maltitol :
