Maltitol is a sugar alcohol, also known as a polyol, widely used as a sugar substitute in various food products. It is frequently found in sugar-free and low-carb items such as candies, chewing gum, chocolates, baked goods, and ice cream. Manufacturers favor maltitol because it provides a sweetness profile similar to sugar, offering about 75-90% of sucrose’s sweetness. This ingredient also contributes fewer calories than traditional sugar, approximately 2.1 calories per gram compared to sugar’s 4 calories per gram, and has a lower glycemic index.
Evaluating the Scientific Evidence
Concerns surrounding various sugar substitutes and their potential link to cancer are common among consumers. For maltitol, scientific investigations into such a relationship have primarily involved animal studies. These long-term studies, often administering high doses of maltitol to test subjects, have been conducted to observe any carcinogenic effects.
The existing body of research, particularly these animal-based investigations, has not demonstrated a connection between maltitol consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer. For instance, one study in rats even suggested that maltitol might offer a protective effect against colon cancer, reducing its likelihood by 53%. There is currently no credible evidence from human studies or case reports that indicates a causal link between dietary maltitol intake and cancer development in people.
It is important to differentiate maltitol from other sugar alcohols that have been the subject of recent, unrelated research. For instance, some studies have linked naturally occurring sugar alcohols like erythritol and sorbitol to certain health outcomes, including liver cancer in mice, when accumulated due to specific genetic conditions. This research focuses on endogenously produced sugar alcohols under particular metabolic circumstances, not on maltitol as a food additive. The prevailing scientific consensus, based on current evidence, is that there is no established link between maltitol consumption and cancer risk.
Regulatory Stance on Maltitol Safety
Major food safety and regulatory bodies worldwide have thoroughly evaluated maltitol to determine its safety for consumption. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified maltitol as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). This designation signifies that qualified experts, based on extensive scientific data, have concluded that maltitol is safe for its intended uses in food products.
The FDA has not deemed it necessary to establish an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for maltitol, reflecting its confidence in the substance’s safety under normal consumption patterns. Similarly, international organizations such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have also reviewed maltitol’s safety. These bodies have assigned maltitol an ADI of “not specified,” which represents the highest safety rating for a food additive. This indicates that maltitol is considered safe for use in food according to good manufacturing practices without specific numerical limits.
As part of ongoing re-evaluation programs for all food additives, EFSA recently sought additional genotoxicity data for maltitol. This is a standard procedure to ensure modern testing requirements are met. EFSA’s preliminary assessment did not identify an immediate need for new data, and this re-evaluation process is a continuous effort to update safety assessments with the latest scientific methodologies, not a newly identified safety concern.
Distinguishing Other Health Considerations
While scientific evidence does not support a link between maltitol and cancer, it is important to understand other common health considerations associated with its consumption. As a sugar alcohol, maltitol is not completely absorbed in the small intestine. A significant portion of ingested maltitol passes into the large intestine, where it is fermented by gut bacteria.
This incomplete digestion and subsequent fermentation can lead to various gastrointestinal effects. Common symptoms include gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and a laxative effect, which may manifest as diarrhea. The severity of these digestive issues is typically dose-dependent; for example, consuming around 40 grams of maltitol might cause mild flatulence, while daily intakes exceeding 90 grams are more likely to result in diarrhea.
Due to these potential digestive side effects, products containing sugar alcohols like maltitol often include a warning label about possible laxative effects, particularly when polyol content exceeds 10% of the product. This cautionary labeling helps consumers manage their intake and understand the expected physiological responses to maltitol, which are distinct from any concerns about long-term health risks like cancer.