The sugar alcohol on our label isn’t that kind
Not all sugar alcohols are created equal
If you’ve ever flipped over a protein bar and paused at the words sugar alcohols, you’re not alone.
For a lot of people, those two words trigger an immediate reaction: digestive issues, bloating, regret. And honestly? That reaction didn’t come out of nowhere.
But here’s the part most labels — and most brands — don’t explain clearly:
Not all sugar alcohols behave the same way in your body.
And lumping them together creates unnecessary confusion.
Let’s break it down, simply and honestly.
Why sugar alcohols have a bad reputation
Sugar alcohols are a category of sweeteners commonly used to reduce added sugar. Some of the most common ones include:
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Maltitol
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Sorbitol
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Xylitol
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Erythritol
These are often used in large amounts to make products taste sweet without sugar. The issue? Many of these are poorly absorbed in the gut, especially when consumed in higher doses.
Research shows that sugar alcohols like maltitol and sorbitol can pull water into the intestines and ferment in the colon, which is why they’re linked to bloating, gas, and digestive distress — particularly for people with sensitive digestion.
That’s the experience many people remember. And it’s valid.
But here’s where things get misleading.
The sugar alcohol on our label isn’t that kind
On Five Plus Protein bars, you’ll see 3–4g of sugar alcohols listed, depending on the flavor.
That number exists not because we use problematic sweeteners, but because the FDA requires us to list vegetable glycerin as a sugar alcohol — even though it behaves very differently in the body.
Vegetable glycerin is:
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Naturally derived
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Easily digested
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Slowly absorbed
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Unlikely to ferment in the gut
From a physiological standpoint, it does not act like maltitol or sorbitol. It doesn’t spike blood sugar. It doesn’t cause the same osmotic effect in the intestines. And for most people, it’s well tolerated — even when digestion is a priority.
But legally? It still has to live under the same umbrella term on the label.
That’s the disconnect.
What the science actually says
Vegetable glycerin (also called glycerol) has been studied extensively, especially in sports nutrition and medical settings.
Key findings from the research:
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It is absorbed in the small intestine, not fermented in the colon
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It has a low glycemic impact
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It does not produce the same gastrointestinal side effects commonly associated with other sugar alcohols
In other words, the body knows what to do with it.
This is why you’ll often see glycerin used in products designed for steady energy, hydration, and digestibility — not just sweetness.
How to read labels without getting burned
If you want to make smarter choices (and avoid digestive surprises), here’s what to look for:
1. Look past the number and read the ingredient list
“Sugars alcohols: 4g” tells you how much, not which kind. The ingredient list tells the real story.
2. Watch for red-flag sugar alcohols
If maltitol or sorbitol are high on the list, that’s where many people run into issues.
3. Understand glycerin’s role
When vegetable glycerin is used in small, intentional amounts, it’s often there for texture, moisture, and mouthfeel — not aggressive sweetness.
4. Trust how your body responds
Labels matter. So does lived experience. If something feels good and digests well, that data counts.
Why we choose transparency over shortcuts
We could avoid the sugar alcohol line entirely by using different ingredients. Many brands do.
But those shortcuts often come with trade-offs: harsher sweeteners, poor texture, or ingredients that don’t align with aging well, gut-friendly digestion, and steady energy.
We choose ingredients that:
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Taste good
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Digest easily
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Support an anti-inflammatory lifestyle
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Avoid added sugar
And we choose to explain them — even when the explanation is longer than a soundbite.
The takeaway
Sugar alcohols aren’t inherently bad.
Unclear labeling and poor ingredient choices are.
When you know what you’re looking at — and why it’s there — you can make decisions from clarity instead of fear.
If you’ve been avoiding products because of a single line on a label, this is your permission to look deeper.
Try it for yourself
The simplest way to understand the difference is to experience it.
Our sample box lets you try multiple flavors and see how your body responds — no guesswork, no commitment, just real-world feedback. Discover your flavor here.
Listen to your gut. It’s usually right.
