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Hexitol – Sugar Alcohols Explained

Hexitols are six-carbon sugar alcohols found in nature and widely used as food additives and in medicine for various therapeutic purposes.

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Things worth knowing about "Hexitol"

Hexitols are six-carbon sugar alcohols found in nature and widely used as food additives and in medicine for various therapeutic purposes.

What Are Hexitols?

Hexitols (also called hexites) are a group of sugar alcohols containing six carbon atoms and six hydroxyl groups. They are produced by the reduction of hexoses -- simple sugars such as glucose, fructose, or mannose. Common examples of hexitols include sorbitol (E420), mannitol (E421), dulcitol, and inositol. Due to their chemical structure, hexitols are metabolized more slowly and less completely by the human body compared to regular sugars.

Natural Sources

Hexitols occur naturally in a variety of plants, fruits, and algae:

Sorbitol is found in high concentrations in pome fruits such as apples, pears, and plums.
Mannitol is present in mushrooms, celery, olives, and certain types of algae.
Dulcitol is found in some plants, including the spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus).
Inositol is widely distributed in cereals, legumes, and nuts.

Biological Functions

Hexitols serve several roles in the human body:

They function as a source of energy, providing fewer calories per gram than regular sugar.
Sorbitol is converted to fructose in the liver and can enter normal metabolic pathways.
Mannitol acts as an osmotic diuretic and is used medically to reduce elevated intracranial pressure.
Inositol is an important component of cell membranes and participates in intracellular signal transduction.

Use in Food Products

Due to their sweet taste and lower impact on blood glucose levels, hexitols are commonly used as sugar substitutes in food:

In dentist-recommended products such as sugar-free chewing gums and candies (e.g., sorbitol, mannitol).
In diabetic-friendly foods, as they have a lower glycaemic index than regular sugar.
As humectants in baked goods and confectionery to improve texture and shelf life.

Medical Applications

Several hexitols have significant medical uses:

Mannitol is administered intravenously as an osmotic diuretic for the treatment of elevated intracranial pressure and acute kidney injury.
Sorbitol is used as a laxative and as an excipient in pharmaceutical solutions.
Inositol is being investigated in clinical research for its potential role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and certain mental health conditions.

Tolerability and Side Effects

Although hexitols are naturally occurring and generally regarded as safe, they can cause gastrointestinal side effects when consumed in larger amounts:

Bloating, cramping, and diarrhea may occur, as hexitols are only partially absorbed in the small intestine and are fermented by bacteria in the large intestine.
Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or fructose malabsorption may be particularly sensitive to hexitols.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends that products containing more than 10% added polyols carry the label: excessive consumption may produce laxative effects.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of sugar alcohols as feed additives. EFSA Journal, 2021.
Livesey G. - Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers, with emphasis on low glycaemic properties. Nutrition Research Reviews, 2003; 16(2): 163-191.
World Health Organization (WHO): Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. WHO Technical Report Series, Geneva.

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