What are these???

I have been trying to figure out what Sugar Alcohols are?? I have read many labels in stores and things that have no sugar sometimes have sugar alcohols. Are these sugar alcohols really just sugar, but under another name? Are they harmful to us?? Melissa

Sugar alcohols dont have many calories but they do make some people dump. They dont bother me at all. You could try a little of something with sugar alcohols to see if it bothers you. For some people it gives them lots of problems for others of us it has no effect. I enjoy things with sugar alcohols as they taste great and have few calories.

Here is some info I cut and pasted from a newsletter my surgeon (lapsf.com) publishes: Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are ingredients used as sweeteners and bulking agents. They occur naturally in foods and come from plant products such as fruits and berries. But don't be confused. Sugar alcohols are neither sugars nor alcohols. They are carbohydrates that partially resemble sugar and partially resemble alcohol, but they don't contain ethanol as alcoholic beverages do. Common sugar alcohols are mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, isomalt, maltitol, and hydrogenated starch hydrosylates (HSH). Unfortunately, there are some negative effects associated with sugar alcohols. The most common side effect is the possibility of bloating and diarrhea when sugar alcohols are eaten in excessive amounts. There is also some evidence that sugar alcohols, much like fructose in fruit and fruit juice can cause a "laxative effect." Weight gain has been seen when these products are overeaten. Food products labeled "sugar-free," including hard candies, cookies, chewing gums, soft drinks and throat lozenges often consist of sugar alcohols. Beware- there is often the misconception that all sugar alcohol-containing products are "free foods." Some of these products may still contain significant amounts of carbohydrates. It's important to check the food label for total carbohydrate contained in the product. If a manufacturer uses the term "sugar free" or "no sugar added," they must list the grams of sugar alcohols. If more than one sugar alcohol is used in a product, the "Nutrition Facts" panel will list the amount of sugar alcohol it contains under the "total carbohydrate." If just one sugar alcohol is used, the label will list its specific name, for example, "mannitol" or "sorbitol." Sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin and aspartame, are not one and the same. One difference between the two types of sugar substitutes is that the artificial sweeteners contain zero calories whereas sugar alcohols contain about 2.6 calories per gram. Another difference is that artificial sweeteners do not contain carbohydrates so they do not cause blood sugar to elevate, whereas, sugar alcohols have some effect on blood sugar. Overall, both can be useful in the management of diabetes when used properly.

Thanks for posting this info! I have always wondered about these sugar alcohols also, and this explanation is the best I have ever seen, especially about how to read the labels. Thanks again! Kathy

Melissa, I asked my nutritionist about no sugar added/sugar-free products and she gave me the ok to eat them but do it at a minimum because of the laxative effect. So far, I have no problems with the sugar alcohols. I also may take a little bite first to see how it effects me before I eat the whole thing. So far, I have tried sugar free cookies, Sugar Free Hershey Candy, and Sugar Free hard candy. All have sugar alcohol but none has made me dump. I just don't eat them that often either. JaNae