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Sugar alcohols, or polyols, are neither sugars nor alcohols.
They are carbohydrates with a chemical structure that partially
resembles sugar and partially resembles alcohol (without the ethanol like
alcoholic beverages). Sugar alcohols occur naturally in a wide variety
of fruits and vegetables, but are mostly commercially produced from other
carbohydrates such as sucrose, glucose, and starch.
Sugar alcohols are slowly and incompletely absorbed from the small intestine
into the blood. Once absorbed they are metabolized (often into fats in the
liver) or used for energy. Unlike most carbohydrates they require little insulin
for their metabolism and hence have been termed non-impact carbs by food
manufacturers since they have little or no impact on blood glucose or
insulin levels.
Sugar alcohols like maltitol, mannitol, xylitol, and hydrogenated starch
hydrolysates are only partially digested and absorbed and metabolized by the
body and consequently contribute fewer calories. Their caloric content ranges
from 1.5 to 3.0 calories per gram compared to 4.0 calories per gram for
carbohydrates.
While containing about half the calories of sugar, most are approximately
half as sweet and therefore even though the label will read "low-carb" or "no
impact carbs" the food or serving will yield a similar caloric content as one
containing sugar. While low in carb and only partially digestible they
still contain calories - often a lot for the little portion. While most sugar
alcohols are half as sweet as sucrose; maltitol and xylitol are exceptions being
about as sweet as sucrose.
Sugar alcohols are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as
either GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) or approved food additives. And while
limits on intake are recommended due to their laxative effect,
currently the Food and Drug Administration nor the U.S. Department
of Agriculture has not defined terms used by manufacturers on products
containing food alcohols such as "low carb", "net carb", and
"non-impact carb" among others.
Apparently the FDA is aware of the low-carb labeling question and is drafting
guidelines for manufacturers to use - limiting the abuse and misuse of such
terms. Since sugar alcohols are only found in processed foods you can avoid
them, and the labeling controversy, by eating the best source of carbohydrates:
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. | 
