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4 Natural Sweeteners Glycaemic Index Ranked from GI 0 to 65

Natural Sweeteners Glycaemic Index: Ranked from GI 0 to 65

Diablo Sugar Free - Sweetener Science

Natural Sweeteners Ranked
by Glycaemic Index

A complete, science-backed guide to understanding which sweeteners raise blood glucose, which do not, and how to read a label with confidence

Quick Answer

Natural Sweeteners Glycaemic Index: Key Facts

The glycaemic index (GI) measures how quickly a food raises blood glucose on a scale from 0 to 100. Here is how the most widely used natural sweeteners rank:

  • GI 0 (Zero impact): Stevia, monk fruit, allulose, erythritol. No measurable effect on blood glucose.
  • GI 1 to 15 (Very low): Xylitol (GI approx. 7), isomalt (GI approx. 9), sorbitol (GI approx. 9).
  • GI 16 to 54 (Low to medium): Fructose (GI approx. 19), agave (GI approx. 15 to 30), powdered maltitol (GI approx. 35), coconut sugar (GI approx. 54).
  • GI 55 and above (Medium to high): Maltitol syrup (GI approx. 52), honey (GI approx. 55 to 58), maple syrup (GI approx. 54), table sugar (GI 65).
  • The label trap: Products marked "sugar free" can still contain maltitol syrup, which has a GI close to table sugar. Always check the ingredients list.
  • Safe daily reference: Sweeteners with a GI under 55 are classified as low-GI by the Glycaemic Index Foundation.

You have read the label. It says "sugar free." You have chosen this product specifically because you are watching your sugar intake. But here is the thing: sugar-free does not mean glycaemically neutral. The sweetener inside the product matters just as much as the claim on the front of the pack.

Understanding the natural sweeteners' glycaemic index is one of the most practical steps you can take toward making genuinely informed choices about the confectionery and foods you buy. The range is extraordinary: from a GI of zero for stevia and monk fruit, all the way to a GI of 52 for maltitol syrup, a sugar alcohol found in many products that carry a "sugar free" label.

In this guide, we cover every major sweetener ranked by GI score, explain what those numbers actually mean in practice, walk through the latest safety research, and give you a plain-English label-reading guide so you know exactly what you are buying.

Nutritional Note

This article references peer-reviewed research, including data from the EFSA Scientific Register, Diabetes Care, PMC-indexed clinical trials, and Cardiovascular Research (Oxford Academic). It is provided for general educational purposes. Always consult your physician, registered dietitian, or pharmacist for personalised dietary guidance.

0
Glycaemic index of stevia and monk fruit. No measurable blood glucose response.
52
GI of maltitol syrup. Often found in "sugar free" confectionery. Close to table sugar (GI 65).
16
Major natural sweeteners covered in this ranked guide, from GI 0 to GI 65.
55
GI threshold below which a sweetener is classified as "low glycaemic index" by international standards.

What Is the Glycaemic Index and Why Does It Matter for Sweeteners?

The glycaemic index was developed in the early 1980s by Dr David Jenkins at the University of Toronto. It ranks foods on a scale from 0 to 100 based on how quickly they raise blood glucose compared to pure glucose, which scores 100. Foods scoring 55 or below are classified as low-GI, 56 to 69 as medium, and 70 or above as high-GI.

For sweeteners, GI is particularly important for two reasons. First, many products marketed as "sugar-free" or "no added sugar" still contain carbohydrate-based sweeteners that can raise blood glucose. Second, the "sugar" entry on a nutrition label legally excludes polyols (sugar alcohols) under EU and UK food law, meaning the total carbohydrate picture can be hidden from a quick label scan.

Knowing the GI of the sweetener inside a product is often more useful than any claim on the front of the packaging.

GI vs Glycaemic Load: What Is the Practical Difference?

Glycaemic index measures the quality of a carbohydrate's effect on blood glucose, based on a standardised 50g portion of available carbohydrate. Glycaemic load (GL) accounts for quantity too: it multiplies GI by the grams of carbohydrate in a realistic serving size. For most sweeteners used in small quantities, GI is the more practical measure. However, for higher-GI sweeteners used in large amounts, such as maltitol syrup as the primary ingredient in a thick chocolate bar, the glycaemic load compounds the concern significantly.

Key Distinction

Low GI does not automatically mean low carbohydrate. Fructose has a relatively low GI of approximately 19, but consuming large amounts carries separate metabolic concerns. GI is a valuable guide, not a complete nutritional picture. Always read the full nutrition panel alongside the ingredients list.

Natural Sweeteners Ranked by Glycaemic Index: The Master Table

The table below ranks 16 of the most widely used natural and plant-derived sweeteners by GI score, alongside calorie content, relative sweetness compared to sugar, and key practical notes. Table sugar (sucrose, GI 65) is used as the reference point throughout.


GI 0: No impact

GI 1 to 15: Very low

GI 16 to 54: Low to medium

GI 55 to 69: Medium

GI 70 plus: High
Sweetener GI Score Cal/g Sweetness vs Sugar GI Tier Key Notes
Stevia (steviol glycosides) 0 0 200 to 350x Zero Impact EFSA-approved (E960). Zero calories. Slight bitter aftertaste at high doses.
Monk fruit (mogrosides) 0 0 150 to 300x Zero Impact Derived from luo han guo fruit. Zero calories. Heat-stable. Growing EU availability.
Allulose approx. 0 0.2 to 0.4 approx. 70% Zero Impact UK novel food approved. EU review ongoing. Behaves like sugar in baking. Very limited EU retail availability.
Erythritol approx. 1 0.2 approx. 70% Zero Impact EFSA-approved (E968). Best-tolerated sugar alcohol. See 2023 to 2025 cardiovascular research section.
Xylitol approx. 7 2.4 approx. 100% Very Low EFSA-approved (E967). EFSA-approved dental health claim. See 2024 cardiovascular research section. Toxic to dogs.
Isomalt approx. 9 2.0 45 to 65% Very Low EFSA-approved (E953). Heat-stable. Used in hard confectionery. Laxative warning applies where polyol exceeds 10% content.
Sorbitol approx. 9 2.6 approx. 60% Very Low EFSA-approved (E420). Found naturally in stone fruit. Most problematic sugar alcohol for digestive symptoms.
Lactitol approx. 6 2.0 approx. 40% Very Low EFSA-approved (E966). Used in some confectionery. Good GI profile. Laxative warning applies.
Fructose approx. 19 4.0 approx. 120% Low Naturally in fruit. Low GI but metabolised exclusively in the liver. High intake associated with raised triglycerides.
Agave syrup approx. 15 to 30 3.1 approx. 150% Low to Medium Low GI but very high fructose content (up to 90%). Long-term metabolic impact debated in research literature.
Powdered maltitol approx. 35 2.1 approx. 90% Low to Medium EFSA-approved (E965). Widely used in sugar-free chocolate. Significantly lower GI than maltitol syrup. Still raises blood glucose.
Coconut sugar approx. 54 4.0 approx. 75% Medium Often marketed as a low-GI alternative. GI only marginally below table sugar. Contains trace minerals but at typical use quantities these are negligible.
Maltitol syrup approx. 52 3.0 approx. 75% Medium Important: GI significantly higher than powdered maltitol. Frequently used in lower-cost "sugar free" products. Check the label carefully.
Maple syrup approx. 54 2.7 approx. 60% Medium Marginally lower GI than table sugar. Contains some minerals and antioxidant compounds but is still a concentrated glucose source.
Honey approx. 55 to 58 3.0 approx. 100% Medium Trace enzymes and antioxidants. GI varies by variety. Still raises blood glucose meaningfully. Not a low-GI alternative to sugar.
Table sugar (sucrose) 65 4.0 100% (reference) Reference Standard reference point for all GI comparisons. Raises blood glucose rapidly. Excluded from "sugar free" products by definition.

Sources: Atkinson FS et al. (2008). International Tables of Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Values. Diabetes Care; Livesey G (2003). Nutrition Research Reviews; PMC maltitol review (2020); EFSA approved claims register. GI values are reference figures and may vary between products and studies.

Each Sweetener Explained: What You Actually Need to Know

Stevia: The Zero-GI Plant Extract

Stevia is derived from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a plant native to South America. The sweet compounds, called steviol glycosides, are 200 to 350 times sweeter than table sugar, provide zero calories, and have a glycaemic index of zero. EFSA has approved stevia as a food additive (E960) across the EU and UK.

Multiple clinical studies confirm that stevia produces no measurable rise in blood glucose or insulin levels. A 2024 review in Nutrition Reviews confirmed no significant effect on fasting glucose or HbA1c at typical intake levels. The main practical note is a slightly bitter or liquorice-like aftertaste at higher concentrations. Many commercial products blend stevia with erythritol, which largely masks this aftertaste.

Diablo Sugar Free

Diablo Sugar Free products are made with sweeteners instead of sugar, including stevia, one of the most rigorously researched sweeteners available. A treat for those watching their sugar intake. As with all foods, portion awareness is important, and we always recommend discussing your dietary choices with a healthcare professional.

Diablo's Stevia-Sweetened Range

Monk Fruit: Ancient Plant, Modern Research

Monk fruit sweetener is extracted from Siraitia grosvenorii, cultivated in southern China for centuries. The sweet compounds are mogrosides, which are 150 to 300 times sweeter than sugar and provide zero calories with a GI of zero. A well-cited 2017 randomised crossover study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that monk fruit beverages produced no significant spike in blood glucose or insulin compared to sucrose-sweetened equivalents.

Monk fruit is heat-stable and works well in cooking and baking. Many commercial products labelled as "monk fruit sweetener" are blends of monk fruit extract and erythritol. EU novel food approval is progressing; availability in European retail is growing but still limited compared to stevia.

Allulose: The Rare Sugar That Behaves Like One

Allulose is a naturally occurring monosaccharide found in trace amounts in figs, raisins, and maple syrup. It tastes and behaves remarkably like sucrose in baking, browning, and dissolving, yet the body absorbs very little of it. It has a GI near zero and provides roughly 0.2 to 0.4 calories per gram.

A 2024 meta-analysis of clinical trials published in Metabolism Open found that allulose significantly reduced post-meal blood glucose rises when consumed alongside carbohydrate-containing meals. Allulose is approved in the UK as a novel food. Full EU approval was still under review as of mid-2025. It is not yet widely available in European confectionery.

Erythritol: Best-Tolerated Sugar Alcohol, With a Research Caveat

Erythritol is a four-carbon sugar alcohol found naturally in small amounts in fermented foods and some fruit. It is approximately 70% as sweet as sugar, provides just 0.2 calories per gram, and has a GI of approximately 1. Unlike other sugar alcohols, erythritol is almost completely absorbed in the small intestine and excreted unchanged in urine, which is why it causes far fewer digestive symptoms than sorbitol, maltitol, or xylitol.

Research Update: Erythritol (2023 to 2025)

A 2023 study published in Nature Medicine (Cleveland Clinic) found that higher circulating blood levels of erythritol were associated with increased cardiovascular event risk over a three-year follow-up period. A 2025 review in Cardiovascular Research (Oxford Academic) provided important context: the observational findings may reflect the body's own erythritol production rather than dietary intake, and short-term intervention trials in overweight participants did not confirm harm at typical food-level doses. Mendelian randomisation studies have not confirmed causal cardiovascular risk from dietary erythritol. Erythritol remains a legally approved food ingredient. This is an evolving area of research.

Xylitol: Low GI, With an Important Research Note

Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol found in birch bark, corn cobs, and many fruits and vegetables. It is approximately as sweet as sugar, contains roughly 2.4 calories per gram, and has a GI of approximately 7. EFSA has approved the health claim that xylitol contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralisation, making it one of the few sweeteners with a verified, legally permitted health claim in the EU and UK.

Research Update: Xylitol (2024)

A 2024 study published in the European Heart Journal (Witkowski et al., Cleveland Clinic) examined more than 2,000 participants. Those with the highest blood xylitol concentrations had approximately 57% higher risk of serious cardiovascular events over three years. Laboratory experiments found that xylitol increased platelet reactivity. A 2025 review in Cardiovascular Research (Oxford Academic) noted that five-week intervention trials showed no significant effect on vascular function, and Mendelian randomisation studies do not confirm causal cardiovascular risk from dietary xylitol. The research is preliminary and ongoing. Xylitol in oral care products involves far smaller quantities than food use and is considered safe at those levels.

Xylitol is also toxic to dogs. If you have a dog at home, store any products containing xylitol carefully out of reach.

Isomalt: The Confectionery Specialist

Isomalt is a sugar alcohol produced from sucrose. It is used extensively in hard candy and lollipops because of its excellent heat stability and low moisture absorption. Its GI is approximately 9. Like all polyols, excessive consumption of isomalt can produce a laxative effect. Under EU and UK food law, products in which polyol content exceeds 10% of the total content must carry the mandatory statement: "Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects."

Maltitol: The Sugar-Free Label Trap

Maltitol is the most important sweetener to understand in detail. It is the most widely used sugar alcohol in commercial sugar-free chocolate, biscuits, and confectionery, and its GI profile is consistently misunderstood by consumers.

Critical Distinction: Powdered Maltitol vs Maltitol Syrup

Powdered (crystalline) maltitol: GI approximately 35. Used in higher-quality sugar-free chocolate. Causes a moderate blood glucose rise, lower than table sugar, but not negligible. Maltitol syrup: GI approximately 52, approaching that of table sugar (GI 65). Used in many lower-cost sugar-free products. Its glycaemic impact is substantially closer to regular sugar than the "sugar-free" label implies. A product legally labelled "sugar-free" using maltitol syrup as its primary sweetener can still produce a significant blood glucose response. Check for "maltitol syrup" or "hydrogenated glucose syrup" in the ingredients list. If either appears first or second among sweeteners, the product will have a meaningful glycaemic impact.

Maltitol is produced by hydrogenation of maltose. It is approximately 90% as sweet as sugar and provides approximately 2.1 calories per gram. A 2020 PMC review confirmed that maltitol's glycaemic index is lower than sucrose, but emphasised that it is still a carbohydrate that should not be treated as a free food by anyone managing their carbohydrate intake.

Diablo's Maltitol Range -- Powdered, Not Syrup

Coconut Sugar, Honey, and Maple Syrup: Not Low-GI Alternatives

These sweeteners are frequently marketed with health halos because of their origins. The GI reality is more sobering.

Coconut sugar is often promoted as a low-GI alternative to table sugar. Its GI of approximately 54 is only marginally lower than that of table sugar at GI 65. It contains trace amounts of minerals and inulin, but at the quantities used in recipes, these offer negligible nutritional benefit in context of an overall diet.

Honey has a GI of approximately 55 to 58, depending on variety. It contains antioxidants and trace enzymes, but as a sweetener it still raises blood glucose meaningfully. It is not a low-GI alternative.

Maple syrup has a GI of around 54. Similar story: only marginally lower than table sugar, with some minerals and antioxidant compounds, but still a concentrated glucose source at practical serving sizes.

The "Sugar Free" Label Trap: Why GI Still Matters Inside Sugar-Free Products

One of the most important practical takeaways from understanding the natural sweeteners' glycaemic index is this: "sugar-free" on a label does not mean "glycaemically neutral."

EU and UK food law defines "sugars" as mono- and disaccharides. Polyols (sugar alcohols) are carbohydrates, but they are excluded from the legal definition of "sugars." This means a product sweetened entirely with maltitol syrup, which has a GI of approximately 52, can legally and truthfully carry a "sugar-free" label.

For people generally reducing their sugar intake as part of a balanced lifestyle, any reduction in added sugars is broadly positive. But for those carefully monitoring their carbohydrate intake, the sweetener inside the product, and its GI, matters significantly.

Practical Rule

When evaluating a sugar-free product, look at the ingredients list, not just the front-of-pack claim. The further up the ingredients list a sweetener appears, the more of it is in the product. If "maltitol syrup" or "hydrogenated glucose syrup" appears first or second among sweeteners, that product will likely have a more meaningful glycaemic impact than one sweetened primarily with isomalt, erythritol, or stevia.

Reading Sweetener Labels: A Practical Guide

What to Look For

  • Stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, or allulose are listed as the primary sweetener. All of these have GI scores at or near zero.
  • Isomalt or xylitol as a primary sweetener in hard confectionery. Both are genuinely low-GI.
  • Powdered maltitol used in chocolate. Lower GI than maltitol syrup, though still a carbohydrate that contributes to total intake.
  • Total carbohydrates per serving alongside the ingredients list. This gives you the full picture of what you are consuming.
  • The "with sweetener(s)" statement accompanying the product name is a mandatory legal requirement for any product containing sweeteners under EU and UK food law.

What to Watch For

  • Maltitol syrup or hydrogenated glucose syrup listed early in the ingredients. This indicates a significantly higher glycaemic impact than the "sugar free" claim suggests.
  • Very small stated serving sizes that do not reflect how much you would realistically consume. A label showing modest carbohydrates "per 15g serving" on a bar you would naturally eat 40g of requires a mental adjustment.
  • Corn syrup, glucose syrup, dextrose, or fructose listed as ingredients in any product. These are rapidly absorbed carbohydrates.
  • Cocoa content below 50% in any product marketed as "dark" chocolate.
  • The absence of the mandatory laxative warning on products with high polyol content. If a product contains more than 10% polyols and does not include this warning, it may not be accurately labelled.
Ingredient Name E Number GI Score What It Means
Stevia / Steviol glycosides E960 0 Zero GI, zero calories. EFSA-approved. Used in very small quantities due to high sweetness intensity.
Erythritol E968 approx. 1 Very low GI, very low calorie. Best-tolerated sugar alcohol for digestive symptoms. See cardiovascular research note.
Xylitol E967 approx. 7 Very low GI. EFSA-approved dental health claim. Toxic to dogs. See cardiovascular research note.
Sorbitol E420 approx. 9 Very low GI but the highest incidence of digestive symptoms among polyols. Common in older sugar-free products.
Isomalt E953 approx. 9 Very low GI. Heat-stable. Excellent for hard confectionery. Laxative warning applies at high consumption.
Maltitol (powdered) E965 approx. 35 Moderate GI. Used widely in sugar-free chocolate. Still raises blood glucose. Laxative warning applies.
Maltitol syrup / Hydrogenated glucose syrup E965 (syrup) approx. 52 Significant glycaemic impact despite a legal "sugar free" label. Check the ingredients list carefully.
Monk fruit extract / Luo han guo No EU E number yet 0 Zero GI, zero calories. Often blended with erythritol in commercial products.
Coconut sugar No E number approx. 54 Not a low-GI option despite widespread marketing as a natural alternative to table sugar.

Sources: EFSA approved additives register; EU Regulation 1333/2008; Atkinson FS et al. (2008). Diabetes Care; UK Food Standards Agency.

What the Latest Research Says (2023 to 2025)

The Xylitol and Erythritol Cardiovascular Debate

The most significant recent development in sweetener science has been a series of studies from the Cleveland Clinic, published in Nature Medicine (2023, erythritol) and the European Heart Journal (2024, xylitol), finding associations between elevated blood levels of these sugar alcohols and increased cardiovascular event risk.

The 2024 xylitol study examined more than 2,000 people. Those with the highest blood xylitol concentrations had approximately 57% higher risk of serious cardiac events over three years. The 2023 erythritol study found similar associations and showed that a single serving of erythritol in commercially available keto-friendly products could raise blood erythritol levels substantially above baseline.

A comprehensive 2025 review published in Cardiovascular Research (Oxford Academic) provided important counterbalance. It noted that short-term intervention trials lasting five weeks showed no significant effect on vascular function in overweight participants. Mendelian randomisation studies, which test genetic associations to infer causality, do not confirm that dietary sugar alcohol consumption causes significant cardiovascular harm. The review also noted that the body itself produces erythritol endogenously, which complicates interpretation of the observational findings.

The current scientific position: these sweeteners remain approved and in widespread use. The observational findings are important signals that warrant further investigation. Individuals with existing cardiovascular risk factors may wish to discuss their sweetener choices with a healthcare professional.

Stevia and Monk Fruit: A Consistent Safety Record

The safety evidence for stevia and monk fruit remains consistent across multiple regulatory reviews and randomised controlled trials. EFSA, the US FDA, and the UK Food Standards Agency have all reviewed these sweeteners and found no significant adverse effects at typical intake levels. Both produce no meaningful blood glucose or insulin response in clinical studies.

The WHO's 2023 guideline on non-sugar sweeteners recommended against using them as a long-term weight management strategy. This recommendation was based on the absence of strong evidence for weight loss benefit, not on safety concerns. Both stevia and monk fruit remain safe and appropriate options for those seeking to reduce their sugar intake.

Evolving Science

Nutritional science moves quickly. GI values can vary slightly between studies depending on methodology, and safety research on newer sweeteners continues to develop. The information in this article is current as of May 2026. We recommend consulting peer-reviewed sources and a registered dietitian for the most up-to-date guidance relevant to your specific circumstances.

Choosing the Right Sweetener for Your Goals

For Those Watching Their Blood Glucose Response

GI 0

First Choice

Stevia, monk fruit, allulose, erythritol. These have no measurable impact on blood glucose at typical serving sizes.

GI 1-9

Good Secondary Choice

Xylitol, isomalt, sorbitol. Very low GI. Still contributes a small amount of carbohydrate. Monitor individual response.

GI 35

Use With Awareness

Powdered maltitol. Used in many sugar-free chocolates. Lower GI than syrup form, but still a carbohydrate. Count accordingly.

GI 52+

Check the Label

Maltitol syrup, coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup. Meaningful glycaemic impact despite any "natural" or "sugar free" marketing claims.

First-Choice Picks for Blood Glucose Awareness

For a Low-Carb or Ketogenic Diet

  • Zero net carbs: Stevia and monk fruit have no net carbohydrate contribution.
  • Very low net carbs: Erythritol is largely excreted intact and is typically excluded from net carb calculations in many food tracking applications.
  • Moderate: Xylitol and isomalt are generally accepted on strict low-carb approaches, though individual glucose responses vary.
  • Avoid on strict low-carb: Maltitol (both forms), coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, and agave all contribute meaningfully to carbohydrate intake.

For Baking and Cooking

  • Erythritol: Works well in baking. Produces a slight cooling sensation. Good for cookies and cakes.
  • Allulose: The closest to sugar in baking behaviour. Browns, caramelises, and adds moisture in a similar way to sucrose. Very limited UK retail availability currently.
  • Xylitol: Substitutes 1:1 for sugar in baking. Important: toxic to dogs. Store carefully.
  • Stevia: Requires blending with a bulk sweetener because it is too intensely sweet to use alone in baking volumes. Does not caramelise.
  • Isomalt: Ideal for hard candy, sugar work, and heat-applied techniques. Not suitable for general baking substitution.

For General Sugar Reduction

For people simply looking to cut back on sugar as part of a more balanced diet, without a specific medical or dietary goal, any of the lower-GI sweeteners represent a reasonable starting point. Stevia and erythritol are the most widely available, well-tolerated, and evidence-backed options. Products sweetened with these rather than maltitol syrup are generally a better choice for those thinking about their overall dietary quality.

A Practical 4-Step Framework for Choosing Sweeteners

  1. Identify the goal first. Are you reducing sugar for general health, managing carbohydrate intake more carefully, following a low-carb approach, or simply exploring alternatives to sugar? Your goal determines which sweeteners are relevant.
  2. Check the GI tier. Use the ranking table in this article to place any sweetener in context. GI under 10 is very low. GI 35 to 54 is moderate. GI 52 for maltitol syrup is much closer to table sugar than its "sugar free" label suggests.
  3. Read the full ingredients list. The sweetener's position in the list indicates its proportion in the product. A primary sweetener appearing first or second makes up the largest share. Front-of-pack claims tell you less than the ingredients list.
  4. Monitor your personal response where possible. Individual blood glucose responses to specific foods vary between people. Using a glucose monitor before and approximately 90 to 120 minutes after eating a product gives you personalised data that is far more actionable than any general GI figure.
The Pairing Principle

Eating any sweetened food alongside a source of fibre, fat, or protein slows the rate of carbohydrate absorption into the bloodstream. A small square of sugar-free chocolate eaten after a balanced meal containing protein and vegetables will produce a more gradual glucose response than the same chocolate eaten alone on an empty stomach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What natural sweetener has the lowest glycaemic index?
Stevia and monk fruit both have a glycaemic index of zero. They provide sweetness from plant-derived compounds, steviol glycosides, and mogrosides, respectively, that are not metabolised into glucose. Allulose and erythritol also have GI scores near zero. These four are the best-established options for those seeking a sweetener with no measurable blood glucose response. All four are legally approved food ingredients in the UK and EU.
Is xylitol safe from a glycaemic index perspective?
Xylitol has a GI of approximately 7, which is genuinely very low by any standard classification. It does not cause a sharp blood glucose rise. From a glycaemic index standpoint, it performs well. However, 2024 research from the Cleveland Clinic found associations between elevated blood xylitol levels and cardiovascular event risk. This research is observational, and a 2025 review in Cardiovascular Research noted that short-term intervention studies did not confirm causal harm. Those with existing cardiovascular conditions should discuss any dietary choices with their healthcare provider. Xylitol is also toxic to dogs.
What are the side effects of erythritol?
At typical food-level quantities, erythritol is the best-tolerated sugar alcohol for digestive symptoms, because it is largely absorbed in the small intestine rather than fermented in the large intestine. In very large quantities, digestive discomfort can occur, which is why products with high polyol content carry the mandatory "excessive consumption may produce laxative effects" warning under EU and UK food law. Separately, 2023 to 2025 observational research has identified associations between elevated circulating erythritol levels and cardiovascular risk markers. This is an evolving area of research and does not currently change the approved regulatory status of erythritol as a food ingredient.
Is maltitol really sugar free?
Maltitol is legally classified as "sugar free" in the EU and UK because polyols are not counted as sugars under food law. However, maltitol, particularly in syrup form with a GI of approximately 52, still raises blood glucose, and its caloric value is approximately 2.1 calories per gram. Powdered maltitol has a lower GI of approximately 35. The "sugar free" label is technically accurate under current food law but does not mean there is no glycaemic impact. Anyone carefully managing their carbohydrate intake should account for maltitol as a carbohydrate accordingly.
What is the difference between glycaemic index and glycaemic load for sweeteners?
Glycaemic index measures how quickly a specific carbohydrate raises blood glucose, standardised against a 50g portion of available carbohydrate. Glycaemic load multiplies GI by the actual carbohydrate content in a realistic serving. For sweeteners used in small amounts, GI is generally the more useful measure. However, for sweeteners used as primary ingredients in a product, the glycaemic load compounds the concern: a sweetener with a moderate GI used in large quantities in a product produces a proportionally larger blood glucose impact than a small sprinkling of the same sweetener.
Does coconut sugar have a lower glycaemic index than regular sugar?
Only marginally. Coconut sugar has a GI of approximately 54 compared to table sugar at GI 65. The difference is modest and, at typical recipe quantities, unlikely to be meaningful. Coconut sugar still contributes 4 calories per gram, the same as sucrose, and is still a concentrated sugar source. The trace minerals and small amount of inulin it contains do not offset this in any practical way at the quantities used in recipes. It is not a low-GI alternative.
Which sweeteners should I look for in a sugar-free confectionery product?
For the lowest glycaemic impact, look for stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, or isomalt as the primary sweetener. These all have GI scores of 9 or below. Xylitol is also a very low-GI option (GI approximately 7), though note the research context around cardiovascular associations. Powdered maltitol (GI approximately 35) is used widely in sugar-free chocolate and is lower than table sugar, though it is still a carbohydrate. Actively check for "maltitol syrup" or "hydrogenated glucose syrup," which have a GI of approximately 52 and a significantly larger glycaemic impact than the "sugar free" label implies.

Shop Diablo Sugar Free -- Made with Low-GI Sweeteners

References and Sources

  1. Atkinson FS, Foster-Powell K, Brand-Miller JC. (2008). International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values. Diabetes Care. doi:10.2337/dc08-1239
  2. Livesey G. (2003). Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers, with emphasis on low glycaemic properties. Nutrition Research Reviews. doi:10.1079/NRR200371
  3. Witkowski M et al. (2023). The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk. Nature Medicine. doi:10.1038/s41591-023-02223-9
  4. Witkowski M et al. (2024). Xylitol is prothrombotic and associated with cardiovascular risk. European Heart Journal. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehae244
  5. Wolnerhanssen BK et al. (2025). Sweeteners: erythritol, xylitol and cardiovascular risk, friend or foe? Cardiovascular Research. doi:10.1093/cvr/cvaf091
  6. Ayesh H et al. (2024). Impact of allulose on blood glucose in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Metabolism Open.
  7. Tey SL et al. (2017). Effects of aspartame-, monk fruit-, stevia- and sucrose-sweetened beverages on postprandial glucose, insulin and energy intake. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2016.225
  8. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. (2011). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to intense sweeteners. EFSA Journal. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2229
  9. World Health Organization. (2023). Use of non-sugar sweeteners: WHO guideline. Geneva: World Health Organization. ISBN 978-92-4-007361-7
  10. Maltitol: Analytical Determination Methods, Applications in the Food Industry, Metabolism and Health Impacts. (2020). PMC. PMCID: PMC7400077
  11. EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods (retained in UK law).
  12. EU Regulation 1169/2011 on food information to consumers (UK Food Information Regulations 2014).

Made with Sweeteners Instead of Sugar

Diablo Sugar Free crafts chocolates, cookies, wafers, sweets, and more for those who want to reduce their sugar intake without giving up the enjoyment of a well-made sweet treat. No added sugar. No maltitol syrup. Just genuine flavour, made the right way.

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A treat for those watching their sugar intake. Always enjoy as part of a balanced diet.

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