METABOLIC RESPONSE TO LACTITOL AND XYLITOL IN HEALTHY-MEN

Sugar alcohols are used in food products, yet their metabolic effects in humans are poorly known. We examined plasma glucose, insulin, and C -peptide responses and changes in carbohydrate and lipid oxidation aft er the ingestion of 25 g lactitol, xylitol, or glucose. Eight healthy, nonobese men were studied after an overnight fast. After the ingestio n of lactitol or xylitol, the rise in plasma glucose, insulin, and C-p eptide concentrations was less than after the ingestion of glucose (P < 0.02), with no difference between the two polyols. With the glycemic index of glucose as 100, the indexes of xylitol and lactitol were 7 a nd -1, respectively. A reactive hypoglycemia was observed 3 h after gl ucose ingestion, but not after the ingestion of sugar alcohols. There were no significant changes in the carbohydrate or lipid oxidation as determined by indirect calorimetry after the ingestion of sugar alcoho ls. After glucose ingestion, the rise in carbohydrate oxidation was ne arly significant (P = 0.07). In conclusion, lactitol and xylitol cause smaller changes than does glucose in plasma glucose and insulin conce ntrations and thermogenic response. A small hormonal response and the lack of a thermogenic effect may be beneficial when these sugar alcoho ls are used in food products. The small glucose and insulin responses also suggest that lactitol and xylitol are suitable components of the diet for diabetic patients.