Maltitol is made from the hydrogenation of the corn-syrup by-product maltose. Because it behaves in cooking and production very much like pure sugar, it is very popular in commercial “sugar free” products like candy, desserts, and low-carb products. It is also less expensive for food producers to use than erythritol, xylitol, and other sugar alcohols. Indeed, many people have reported these symptoms after consuming inulin-based sweeteners. However, inulin appears to be safe when consumed in small amounts and has received GRAS status from the FDA. People with diabetes do not need to avoid sugar altogether, but trying to reduce or limit your intake of sugar is recommended. Replacing sugar with low calorie sweeteners can be beneficial to manage your diabetes, maintain a healthy body weight and prevent tooth decay. What is a sweetener?

It was found that the participants in the saccharin and sucralose groups had markable spikes in their blood sugar following the glucose tolerance tests.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2014: Non-nutritive sweeteners: No class effect on the glycaemic or appetite responses to ingested glucose [non-controlled study; weak evidence] ↩

The FDA attempted to ban saccharin in the early 1970s due to studies showing that a high percentage of rodents exposed to extremely large doses of it developed bladder cancer. This association was never found in humans, however. 45 Not all of the carbohydrate from polyols is absorbed, so it’s unclear how polyols should be counted’ by those adjusting their insulin dose according to their carbohydrate intake. Polyols are often used in products marketed as ‘diabetic’, which can be as high in fat and calories as standard products, so they are not recommended. Consuming large amounts of polyols can have a laxative effect, causing bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea. Speak to your health care team for individual advice before using them. Cooking tips: American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology & Metabolism 2016: Gut hormone secretion, gastric emptying, and glycemic responses to erythritol and xylitol in lean and obese subjects [crossover trial; moderate evidence] ↩Some studies in animals suggest there may be health benefits to consuming allulose, but human research has been mixed. 33 It reportedly tastes like sugar and doesn’t seem to cause digestive side effects when consumed in small amounts. However, large doses may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. 34

People with type 2 diabetes have an impaired ability to regulate their blood glucose and often have to restrict their sugar intake. If poorly managed, excess blood sugar can harm the body and lead to diabetes-related complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy.Trends in Food Science and Technology 2011: Yacon, a new source of prebiotic oligosaccharides with a history of safe use [overview article; ungraded evidence] ↩ Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. It is more expensive than stevia and erythritol. However, monk fruit is often sold in cost-effective blends that contain stevia or erythritol. Low-calorie sweeteners generally have fewer calories, and as such can be good for overweight people, often type 2 diabetics, who are trying to lose weight. However, the glucose levels stabilised, and in some cases decreased in the other groups, suggesting that it was not the glucose in the sweeteners responsible for the rises in blood sugar. Popular brands including Splenda and Sweetex contain the sugar substitutes responsible for a rise in glucose levels.