Maltitol

Maltitol is a type of sugar alcohol, also called a polyol, that is used as a sweetener. Maltitol is found naturally in small amounts in some fruits and vegetables, chicory leaves and roasted malt. It can also be manufactured by adding hydrogen to maltose, a sugar found in starches like corn, potatoes and wheat. In food processing, it’s often made from corn starch. Maltitol is a low-calorie sweetener used in processed foods and drinks. It’s a useful replacement for table sugar (sucrose) because it’s almost as sweet (about 90%), but lower in calories. It tastes similar to sucrose as well. Some people prefer maltitol because it doesn’t have an unpleasant aftertaste like some other sugar substitutes. Another advantage maltitol has over sugar and many other sweeteners is that it doesn’t cause cavities or tooth decay.