08/01/2026
Field note.
“Sugar-free.” The label is technically correct. The sweetener inside has a glycemic index of 52. Table sugar’s is 65. That is not what people buying sugar-free chocolate for their blood sugar are expecting.
Maltitol is a sugar alcohol made from starch — usually corn or wheat. It’s the cheapest sugar alcohol available, which is why it’s in nearly every budget “sugar-free” and “diabetic-friendly” product on the shelf. Unlike erythritol (GI: 0) or xylitol (GI: 7), maltitol raises blood glucose at a rate that matters — especially for diabetics, pre-diabetics, and anyone managing insulin response. It’s also routinely subtracted from net carb counts on keto products, even though it affects blood sugar in ways that other sugar alcohols don’t.
Then there’s the other issue: maltitol is notorious for causing severe bloating, cramping, and diarrhea. It’s not fully absorbed in the small intestine — it ferments in the large intestine instead. The Amazon reviews for sugar-free gummy bears sweetened with maltitol are, at this point, a well-documented cultural phenomenon.
Real sweetness comes from real ingredients. No label games.
Nothing to report. Case closed.
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