Question:
What is sugar alcohol and how does it affect dumping?

In my label reading, I'm finding that many sugar-free products have 0g of sugar, but list containing "sugar alcohol". For instance, in Murray Sugar Free peanut butter cookies - 6 cookies (they are tiny) are 130 calories, 3g protein, 0g sugars, 5g sugar alcohol. What exactly is sugar alcohol. Somebody in chat told me that sugar alcohol makes her dump. I have not had any bad reactions in my limited use of it thus far. Perhaps a diabetic knows about this? Thanks -    — Shar /. (posted on March 19, 2000)

March 19, 2000
Hello Sugared alcohol is sugar cane mixed with distilled alcohol & rectified alcohol of 96.3% Yes even the diabetics should know, also when they process the sugar cane in PR this is the way how the sugar alcohol is, & what it is. May be this is not what answer your looking for I just pray I was some help [email protected]
   — Diana B.

March 19, 2000
Hello this is Diana Again, It does not effect dumping. It is suger really that maily diabetics use, sorry I reread your question I thought let me write you back, My husband is a diabetic, also it runs in my family. I did tell you in the other email what it is but I did not tell you what it was mainly used for. Sorry, I am another caring sister out here whom has been through it all, I do wish you the best
   — Diana B.

March 19, 2000
My understanding is that sugar alcohol is a carbohydrate that happens to taste sweet. It has the same calories as any other carbohydrate, so it is not low-calorie. But, it doesn't go straight into the blood stream like sugar, so it causes fewer problems with dumping or diabetic reactions. It also doesn't cause cavities like sugar can. If you read the label, it will probably tell you that excessive consumption will have a laxative effect. I have found that to be true for me even if I only eat a small serving of this sugar-free stuff. It's not dumping, but it can be miserable if it effects you this way. I don't know if this reaction is worse because I had RnY or if it would have done this to me pre-op also. Hope this helps.
   — Lynn K.

April 12, 2000
Found at: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdsugar.html Sugar Alcohols: Though not technically considered artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols are slightly lower in calories than sugar and do not promote tooth decay or cause a sudden increase in blood glucose. They include sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, mannitol, and maltitol and are used mainly to sweeten sugar-free candies, cookies, and chewing gums. FDA classifies some of these sweeteners as "generally recognized as safe" and others as approved food additives. ------ My nutritionist didn't know weather it caused dumping. She did say it was loaded with empty calories. My biologist boyfriend supposed it will not cause dumping. Any doctors want to weigh in?
   — lisadiehl