Sugar alcohols enhance sweetness, keep food moist

THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION MAY DIFFER SLIGHTLY FROM PRINTED VERSION

Q: What is sugar alcohol? I see it on a lot of sugar-free products. How do you know if a product contains sugar alcohols? A: They must be listed in the ingredients. They're easily identified on the label as complicated words that end in ol such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and maltitol. Occasionally, you'll see them under total carbohydrates on the nutrition facts panel, even though it's not required. Chemically, they are referred to as a polyol.

When tasted in a dry state, they give a pleasant, cooling sensation. When consumed in excess, about 50 grams or more, they may produce a laxative …