Maltitol 1kg

Maltitol in the kitchen can successfully replace white sugar. It is perfect for sweetening hot and cold drinks, for desserts, as well as for all kinds of baking and preparation of fruit preserves. It is resistant to high temperatures, dissolves well in liquids.

Maltitol calorific value

100 grams of maltitol contains about 240 kcal. For comparison - 100g of white sugar has 386 kcal. Maltitol has a lower calorie content compared to white sugar.

Maltitol belongs to the group of carbohydrates (polyols) with slower absorption and a metabolic process largely independent of insulin. Thanks to this, the use of maltitol does not increase blood glucose levels. Due to its low calorific value (lower than sucrose), it is an ideal replacement for traditional sugar for diabetics and people who are on a diet with a limited amount of carbohydrates and sugars.

Maltitol what is it?

Maltitol is a natural sweetener from the group of polyols (sugar alcohols). Of course, alcohol is not present in the composition of polyols - this is the chemical name of the product. Sugar alcohols, which include, among others: maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, can be found in fruits such as apples, pears, plums, raspberries and strawberries, figs, olives and cereal grains. The food industry primarily uses maltitol from corn kernels. From the legal side, the conditions for the use of maltitol were defined in the Directive of the European Parliament EU94 / 35 / EC of 1994 on the use of sweeteners in food. Thus, the use of maltitol in the food industry is allowed in the European Union. Natural sweetener provides only about 2.4 kcal. 

Where can we find maltitol?

Maltitol, due to its high-temperature resistance, is often used in baking. First, however, it is used to produce sweet snacks for people who, for various reasons, are forced to limit the amount of sugar consumed. Therefore, we can find it in chocolates, wafers, bars, cookies, candies, chewing gums, desserts, and spreads. Although maltitol is a great solution for people who want to limit sugar consumption, it should of course be remembered, that the glycemic index of maltitol is not zero (GI of maltitol is 36, for comparison, GI of sucrose is 60), therefore maltitol should not be treated as a substance that can be consumed in unlimited amounts. Additionally, its excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Maltitol and caries

Maltitol is not metabolized by bacteria in the mouth, so it is not conducive to the development of tooth decay. While maltitol may cause a slight drop in pH on the tooth surface, it does not usually drop the pH below 5.7. If the pH drops below 5.7, it can lead to tooth enamel decalcification. Maltitol is best used as a sweetener in products that remain in the mouth for a long time, such as hard candies, gum, or chocolate.

Recommended daily amount of maltitol

Maximum amount of maltitol consumed, in which the laxative effect should not occur, is 0.3-0.8 g / kg body weight. So an adult with a body weight of 60 kg could consume about 20-48 g of maltitol without any side effect.

On the Internet you can also find information according to which the safe daily dose of maltitol is as much as 60-90 g per day. It should be remembered that the laxative effect of maltitol may occur in people in various doses and depends, among others, on the amount of maltitol consumed at a time, or the frequency of its consumption.