Isomalt
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points/product
Description
The food additive E953, known as isomalt, is a low-calorie sweetener belonging to the family of polyols or sugar alcohols. It is industrially obtained from sucrose through a two-step process: first, sucrose is enzymatically converted to isomaltulose, and then this is catalytically hydrogenated to yield a mixture of two disaccharides: 1,6-GPS (glucopyranosyl-1,6-mannitol) and 1,1-GPM (glucopyranosyl-1,1-sorbitol).
Isomalt appears as a white, odorless crystalline powder with a sweetening power approximately half that of sugar (0.45-0.65 times). It has low solubility in water and is stable at high temperatures, making it suitable for baked goods. Its main function is to sweeten without providing significant calories (2.0-2.4 kcal/g) and without causing dental caries, as it is not fermented by oral bacteria. Additionally, it has a low glycemic index, making it suitable for diabetics.
Isomalt was approved as a food additive in the European Union in 1990 and is authorized in numerous countries. EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and WHO (World Health Organization) have evaluated its safety, establishing an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of "not specified," meaning it is not considered a health risk in the amounts normally consumed.
The overall safety assessment is very favorable, considering it a safe sweetener for the general population. On labeling, it must appear as "isomalt" or "E953," and in some countries, a warning is included that excessive consumption may have laxative effects.
Isomalt is mainly used as a sweetener in a wide variety of food products, especially those intended for people with diabetes or those seeking to reduce sugar consumption. According to EC Regulation 1333/2008, it is authorized in categories such as: sugar-free confectionery (chewing gum, hard and soft candies, chocolates), desserts, ice cream, fine bakery products, breakfast cereals, soft drinks, and as a tabletop sweetener.
In the Spanish market, it is found in products such as sugar-free chewing gum (Orbit, Trident), hard candies (Smint, Halls sugar-free), chocolates for diabetics (Torras, Nestlé), and light ice cream. Usage limits are quantum satis (sufficient amount) for most applications, meaning there is no established maximum, but it must be used according to good manufacturing practices. Compared to the FDA, which also considers it GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), the EU is more restrictive regarding the obligation to label with a warning of laxative effects if the product contains more than 10% polyols. In Japan, isomalt is approved as a sweetener and used in similar products.
Documented side effects of isomalt are mainly gastrointestinal, due to its incomplete absorption in the small intestine. Upon reaching the colon, it is fermented by the microbiota, producing gas and causing flatulence, abdominal distension, and at high doses, osmotic diarrhea. Clinical studies have shown that doses above 30-50 g per day can cause these symptoms, although tolerance varies among individuals.
The biological mechanism is similar to that of other polyols: they are not fully absorbed and retain water in the intestine. Sensitive populations include people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional digestive disorders. No interactions with medications have been documented. EFSA and WHO conclude that isomalt is safe for human consumption in usual amounts, and that laxative effects are transient and not serious. Therefore, it is not considered a health risk, although moderation is recommended for people prone to digestive discomfort.
In the European Union, products containing more than 10% polyols must include the warning: "excessive consumption may have laxative effects."
- Isomaltitol
- Isomalt
- 6-GPS and 1
- 1-GPM
- Palatinit
- Isomaltulitol
Products in our Spanish database containing this additive
Examples found in ComerClaro Spanish product database
Product names and supermarket data may appear in Spanish.
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