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Isomaltulose

What is isomaltulose?

Isomaltulose is a simple sugar that is produced enzymatically from beet sugar using bacterial fermentation and also occurs naturally in small quantities in some foods such as honey and sugar cane. From a structural point of view, an isomaltulose molecule is a disaccharide consisting of a glucose molecule and a fructose molecule. Isomaltulose is also known under the brand name Palatinose from Südzucker AG.

What distinguishes isomaltulose from other simple sugars?

Even though isomaltulose consists of a glucose and a fructose molecule, just like sucrose (ordinary household sugar), isomaltulose has a much lower glycemic index (GI) of 32 than household sugar, which has a relatively high GI of 69. This difference is due to the fact that the molecular bond between the glucose and fructose molecules in isomaltulose is much more stable than in household sugar, which means that the digestive enzymes have difficulty breaking down this bond, slowing down digestion.

This slow digestion means that isomaltulose provides the body with a much longer-lasting energy boost than most other simple sugars, while at the same time causing a much lower rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. This makes isomaltulose much more suitable than other simple sugars for diabetics and people who suffer from insulin resistance. Dieters can also benefit from this lower rise in blood sugar levels, as any rise in blood sugar levels reduces or completely stops fat oxidation. In addition, there are no hunger attacks due to sharp fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Unlike fructose, the "other" simple sugar with a low GI of less than 30, isomaltulose is not known to have any harmful effects on metabolism and insulin sensitivity. As isomaltulose cannot be metabolized by the bacteria in the mouth, it does not lead to acid formation, which can damage teeth and promote tooth decay, unlike the consumption of other sugars.

Who can benefit from using isomaltulose?

Isomaltulose is ideal for athletes who are looking for an easily digestible carbohydrate source that provides them with long-lasting energy and does not place unnecessary strain on the digestive tract, even when consumed directly before and during training. Isomaltulose is also a better choice than other sugars for dieters who do not want to do without "real" sugar but do not want to suffer from hunger attacks due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels or a standstill in fat oxidation due to a strong insulin release. Of course, diabetics and people suffering from insulin resistance can also benefit from isomaltulose's low impact on blood sugar levels.

What are the main benefits of isomaltulose

  • Long-lasting energy due to a low glycemic index of 32 and resulting slow digestion
  • Low increase in blood glucose levels
  • Less reduction in fat oxidation
  • Less hunger due to lower fluctuations in blood sugar levels
  • Is not harmful to teeth, as isomaltulose cannot be metabolized to acids by the bacteria in the mouth
  • More suitable than other simple sugars for diabetics and people who suffer from insulin resistance