New tests show that the sugar replacer Isomalt has a very low glycemic index (GI), well below that of certain other sugar substitutes and types of sugars, claims its manufacturer Palatinit.
The German firm reports that the carbohydrate ingredient has a value of 2 (sugar weight in at 68), allowing it to be recommended for frequent consumption.
The glycemic index (GI), which measures the effect of a carbohydrate on the blood sugar, is used especially by diabetics but also by those seeking to improve cholesterol and heart health. With current obesity levels reaching epidemic proportions, food makers are under pressure to reduce the sugar and fat content of their products.
Palatinit, a subsidiary of Europe's largest sugar producer Südzucker, believes that the findings of the tests carried out at Sydney University's Glycemic Index Research Service (SUGiRS), add further value to use of Isomalt as a replacement for sugars and other sweeteners. The ingredient, manufactured from pure beet sugar in a two-stage process, goes through processing which guarantees the stability of its molecular bonds. As a result, neither plaque bacteria in the mouth nor digestion in the small intestine are able to break down Isomalt completely. This means that teeth are protected and the blood glucose level remains virtually constant.
Glycemic index is not regulated in most countries, although some, such as South Africa and Australia, issue a GI seal for use on foods, also found in the United States and Europe. The nutrition evaluation system is increasingly used and some believe it could become part of food communication and labelling.