The Lab
Specimen No. 0213
CautionDerivedsweetenerfood additive

Allulose

CAS 551-68-8 · D-psicose · D-allulose · psicose

A "rare sugar" that tastes like sugar but is barely metabolized (about 0.4 cal/g) and has negligible effect on blood glucose. FDA considers it GRAS and lets it be excluded from added/total sugars. The main caveats are GI upset at high doses and limited long-term human data.

medium confidence
Researched July 7, 2026
Allulose molecular structure
Specimen 0213Allulose

Concerns

  • At higher intakes allulose causes GI symptoms: in a human tolerance trial, severe diarrhea appeared at a single dose of 0.5 g/kg body weight, and total daily intake pushed toward 1.0 g/kg produced nausea, abdominal pain, headache and diarrhea — the authors recommended a maximum single dose of ~0.4 g/kg and maximum daily intake of ~0.9 g/kg body weight (Han et al., Nutrients)
  • Long-term human safety and cardiometabolic outcome data remain limited; controlled trials show allulose modestly lowered post-meal blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes (about 8% at 10 g) but the trial authors called for long-term studies to confirm durability (Noronha et al., Diabetes Obes Metab; effect was small/absent in healthy adults, Braunstein et al.)

Regulatory flags

  • ⚑IARC Class: NL
  • ⚑EDC Status: None
  • ⚑Regulatory: US: GRAS (multiple GRAS notices), excluded from Total/Added Sugars, 0.4 kcal/g (FDA final guidance 2020); EU: novel food, not yet authorized as a sweetener
  • ⚑Evidence Grade: B

Commonly found in

Keto sweetenersSugar-free syrupsLow-calorie baked goodsProtein barsIce cream

Last researched: July 7, 2026

Research disclaimer: This rating is based on available peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments at the time of publication. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for personal health or skin concerns.

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