Types of Sugar Alcohols

For commercial purposes, mannitol is manufactured from fructose, which is sourced from cornstarch, although it is found widely in nature in fruits, leaves, and various other parts of plants. Mannitol is about 60% as sweet as sucrose (sugar). Mannitol’s principle use is pharmaceutical use, although the FDA requires that anything with more than 20 grams of it label that the food may create a laxative effect with excessive consumption. Mannitol is used in hard and soft candies, flavored jam and jelly spreads, confections and frostings, chewing gum and cough drops. The maximum amount of mannitol permitted in each of these products is regulated by FDA.

Mannitol

Sourced from sugar.org