Isomaltulose

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Blood sugar after meals²

  In people with diabetes, isomaltulose raised blood sugar less than sucrose an hour after eating.

• Benefit

  Blood sugar control³

  Isomaltulose is a sugar that raises blood sugar less than regular sugar does.

• Open question

  Blood sugar after eating⁴

  Isomaltulose is a sugar that raises blood sugar and insulin more slowly than regular sugar.

• Benefit

  Blood vessel health⁵

  In people, isomaltulose kept blood vessels working better than sugar after a meal.

• Benefit

  Weight loss and body fat⁶

  In overweight adults, isomaltulose in a reduced-calorie diet led to more weight and fat loss than sucrose.

• Benefit

  Rehydration after exercise⁷

  In young men, a 6.5% isomaltulose-electrolyte drink after exercise in heat restored hydration better than water or a 2% drink.

• Open question

  Appetite and blood sugar⁸

  In people, trifle sweetened with isomaltulose raised blood sugar less than sucrose, but hunger and later eating were the same.

• Open question

  Blood sugar in babies⁹

  In infants fed formula with isomaltulose, blood sugar 60 minutes after feeding was higher than with regular formula.

• Benefit

  Blood sugar and fat burning¹⁰

  In overweight men with insulin resistance, isomaltulose led to lower blood sugar and insulin and more fat burning than regular sugar.

• Benefit

  Plaque on teeth¹¹

  In people, isomaltulose snacks led to less plaque on teeth than sucrose snacks did.

• Benefit

  Artery stiffness after eating¹³

  In middle-aged and older adults, isomaltulose kept arteries from stiffening after eating, unlike sucrose.

• Benefit

  Blood sugar during exercise¹⁴

  In people with type 1 diabetes, isomaltulose before running kept blood sugar steadier than dextrose did.

• Concern

  Stomach comfort during exercise¹⁵

  In male cyclists, isomaltulose caused worse stomach cramps and bloating and slower time-trial times than a fructose-maltodextrin drink.

• Benefit

  Blood sugar control in diabetes¹⁶

  In people with type 2 diabetes, isomaltulose did not change blood sugar control but triglycerides were lower.

How it’s made and used

• How long fluids stay in the body¹²

  In young adults, drinks sweetened with isomaltulose led to less urine than water or sugar drinks.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.