Comparing E953 - isomalt vs E968 - Erythritol
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 249 products
Found in 2,409 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 6 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
How to make isomalt?
Industrial production converts sucrose to isomaltulose via an enzyme (sucrose isomerase), then hydrogenates it (typically over Raney nickel) to yield an equimolar mix of 1,6‑GPS and 1,1‑GPM—together called isomalt.
How to use isomalt?
Use it as a bulk sweetener and texturizer in sugar‑free hard candies, lozenges, baked goods, and sugar art; it melts and resists crystallization for casting or pulling. Because it’s ~45–65% as sweet as sugar, it’s often blended with high‑intensity sweeteners, and intake should be moderated to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
What is isomalt made of?
An equimolar mixture of two sugar‑alcohol disaccharides derived from sucrose: 6‑O‑α‑D‑glucopyranosido‑D‑sorbitol (GPS) and 1‑O‑α‑D‑glucopyranosido‑D‑mannitol (GPM). On complete hydrolysis it yields glucose (50%), sorbitol (25%), and mannitol (25%).
What is isomalt sugar?
A sugar alcohol (E953) made from sucrose that provides about 2 kcal/g and 45–65% the sweetness of sugar, with minimal impact on blood glucose and low cariogenicity.
What is isomalt used for?
As a low‑calorie bulk sweetener and stabilizer in sugar‑free hard candies, lozenges, chewing gum, baked goods, coatings, and pharmaceutical tablets; it’s also favored for sugar sculpture due to its resistance to crystallization.
Is erythritol bad for you?
No—regulators (e.g., FDA, EFSA) consider erythritol safe at typical food-use levels, and it doesn’t raise blood sugar or cause tooth decay. Large amounts can cause digestive upset, and a recent observational study linked high blood erythritol levels with cardiovascular risk, but causation hasn’t been shown.
What are the dangers of erythritol?
The main concern is gastrointestinal discomfort (bloating, diarrhea) when large amounts are consumed; in the EU, polyol-containing foods may carry a laxative-effect warning. An observational study has linked high circulating erythritol with cardiovascular events, but evidence is not conclusive and guidance has not changed.
Is erythritol safe?
Yes—it's authorized in the EU (E968) and considered GRAS in the U.S., with no safety concern at reported uses. Some people may experience digestive upset if they consume a lot at once.
What is erythritol made from?
It’s typically produced by fermenting glucose (often from corn or wheat starch) with yeast-like microorganisms (e.g., Moniliella), then purified and crystallized.
Does erythritol raise blood sugar?
No—erythritol has little to no effect on blood glucose or insulin and is largely excreted unchanged.