Isomalt

trev_teich

Someone was telling me that isomalt is really not meant to be eaten, and in fact bad for you. Is there any truth to this? Because this is the something I've never heard or read before.

Chris_Young_80640

In a word, yes. The FDA, and many other national food regulatory agencies, have reviewed isomalt and given GRAS status (generally recognized as safe). This is the same status as sugar (sucrose), salt, or baking powder for example. 

In addition, isomalt is among the most popular sweeteners used in the world.

I have read that it is second only to sucrose, although I'm a bit suspicious of this claim since I would imagine glucose and fructose would be in the number two and three slots. Never-the-less, there is no denying that isomalt is used in many popular food products like chewing gum (isomalt doesn't cause tooth decay since bacteria in your mouth cannot consume it) and many health foods since it causes a low glycemic response.

So I would suggest that your source is misinformed.