Tests at the Sydney University Glycemic Index Research Service (SUGIRS) have verified that the sugar replacer Isomalt from Palatinit has a very low glycemic index (GI). With a value of 2, Isomalt belongs to the group of carbohydrates that may be recommended for frequent consumption. According to the company, using Isomalt as a sweetener instead of sugar can significantly reduce the GI of products such as bakery, ice cream, cereal and fruit bars or jam. Isomalt’s low GI is due to the stability of its molecular bonds. Isomalt is manufactured from pure beet sugar in a two-stage process. This processing rearranges and stabilizes the molecular bonds. As a result, neither plaque bacteria in the mouth nor digestion in the small intestine are able to break down Isomalt completely. This means that teeth are protected and at the same time calories cut back and the blood glucose level remains virtually constant.

In other news, Fibersol-2™, a 90% soluble dietary fiber/digestion resistant maltodextrin marketed and sold by Matsutani America, Inc., has also been found to have a low GI. According to the company, recent human feeding studies confirmed that Fibersol-2 has a GI value of less than 5, based on glucose having a value of 100. Although the GI of Fibersol-2 is not necessarily indicative of the GI of a finished food, the company said the presence of Fibersol-2 may help lower the GI value of the finished food.