Food labels are part of our daily lives. But have you ever paid attention to reading the ingredients on processed foods? The truth is that many of them are quite difficult to understand, either because of their complex names or because you are not familiar with them…

However, with BOLD it's different. 💙 Our ingredients are simple and reduced, without compromising on flavor. We also make a point of showing you what the ingredients we use are, so you know exactly what you're eating.

Remembering that it is normal to consume processed foods in balance, also remembering to make conscious choices. Therefore, this ingredient, the subject of our content today, is one that cannot be missing from our BOLD bars.

In this article, we’ll show you what polyols are and why our team uses this ingredient in our protein bars. Let’s go!

What are polyols?

The name may sound strange, but polyols are basically carbohydrates (also called “sugar alcohols”). Unlike the other compounds in this group of macronutrients, they are not considered sugars, but rather are slow-digesting carbohydrates.

They are obtained through the hydrogenation of some sugars, in a reduction process. These carbohydrates are considered natural dietary sweeteners, that is, ideal for diabetics, and in some cases they can be included by this group without limitations.

In large quantities, the absorption of this substance decreases, as they cannot be completely digested by the body.

Polyols are sweeteners used in the food industry with a more pleasant flavor than most in their niche. Oh, and they're also great options for replacing refined sugar.

Why does BOLD use polyols?

Well, there are several types of polyols — as you will see later, spoiler alert! — and most of them have very low calorie levels, ranging from 0 to 3 calories. In addition, this carbohydrate is super beneficial for your health.

According to the Brazilian Diabetes Society , polyols can bring certain benefits when compared to table sugar, for example:

✔️ Acts with antioxidant action on the pancreas;

✔️ Intestinal hormonal stimuli;

✔️ Increased muscle glucose uptake, i.e., they do not cause insulin spikes;

✔️ Helps with the feeling of satiety.

Furthermore, they are a safe type of sugar for diabetics and obese people to consume. This is because they help improve these complications, both in their treatment and prevention.

After all, BOLD thinks of everything! We don't leave anyone out of the opportunity to try these delicious treats. Now that you know all the benefits that polyols provide, BOLD also chooses this ingredient due to its functionality and attribute that helps make our bars sweet and healthy.

This is a compound widely used in functional products, as its inclusion in the diet helps with weight loss, especially compared to conventional sugars.

After all, everyone deserves to eat that sweet treat and stay healthy, right?

Furthermore, the reduction in calories compared to other sweeteners is a strong point of polyols, which can contain up to half the caloric volume.

They also have a balanced sweetness, high processing tolerance and are non-cariogenic, meaning they are good for your oral health and do not cause cavities.

They are also a beneficial choice for your intestinal tract! Polyols do not cause gastrointestinal problems, which prevents stomach irritation.

Main uses of polyols

As we have already told you here, polyols are widely used in the food industry, mainly in the manufacture of sugar-free or diet products, which also do not contain added sugar.

Chocolates, jellies, ice creams, cough drops and medicines, toothpastes, and beverages in general can all use polyols as sugar in their composition. Now that you know where else you can find this substance, learn about its variations below!

What are the types of polyols?

Although xylitol and erythritol are the best-known sugar alcohols, there are still many types to explore. Among them are:

• Maltitol: it is produced from cornstarch and is 75% sweeter than refined sugar.
• Erythritol: calorie-free, but also produced from cornstarch with a pleasant flavor and about 70% sweeter than sugar.
• Lactitol: obtained by hydrogenating lactose, it also has few calories and represents around 30% to 40% sweetness compared to sucrose.
• Isomalt: The only sweetener derived exclusively from sucrose, it has a similar appearance to sugar, with up to 55% of its sweet taste.
• Xylitol: present in food products since the 1960s, it is produced from corn sources such as sugar cane and has around 2.4 calories per gram.
• Sorbitol: is obtained from starch and represents between 50 and 70% of the sweetness of sucrose.
• Mannitol: approximately 60% sweeter, found in fruits such as strawberries or mushrooms.
• Saccharin: the first artificial sweetener, discovered in 1879, is 300 times sweeter than sucrose and has zero calories. However, it has harmful effects because it is not absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract.
• Sucralose: It is 600 times sweeter than sucrose and is not metabolized by the body, as it has zero calories. Once consumed, it is easily absorbed.

Experience the surreal taste of BOLD

BOLD stands out in the food industry for presenting carefully chosen ingredients, with a balance between macronutrients — carbohydrates, proteins and fats — in addition to practicality and flavor.

Furthermore, we are transparent about the composition of our products and have always worked to produce more surreal flavors.

We are present in more than 7,000 points of sale throughout Brazil. Fall in love with healthy eating like we do!

See which products are available on our website by clicking here, or look for a reseller near you!