Specimen No. 0211
CautionDerivedsweetenerfood additive
Maltitol
CAS 585-88-6 · E965 · maltitol syrup · hydrogenated maltose
A sugar alcohol used in sugar-free chocolate and candy. It has a lower blood-sugar impact than sugar, but is poorly absorbed, so it causes mild-to-moderate gas, bloating and looser stools at typical serving sizes.
medium confidence
Researched July 7, 2026Specimen 0211Maltitol
Concerns
- In a randomized controlled trial, 35 g of maltitol produced significantly more flatulence, borborygmi, bloating and discomfort than a sugar (dextrose) control, along with more frequent and softer stools during the first 24 hours; the effects were mild and transient, and maltitol did lower the postprandial blood-glucose and insulin response (Respondek et al., Eur J Clin Nutr)
- Maltitol is a poorly digested polyol; polyols that escape small-intestine absorption are fermented by colonic bacteria, producing gas and osmotic GI symptoms that scale with dose (general polyol-maldigestion mechanism reviewed in Fernandez-Banares, Nutrients 2022)
Regulatory flags
- ⚑IARC Class: NL
- ⚑EDC Status: None
- ⚑Regulatory: US: GRAS; EU: authorized as E965
- ⚑Evidence Grade: B
Commonly found in
Sugar-free chocolateSugar-free candyReduced-sugar baked goodsChewing gum
Sources & references
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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