Е953 - Изомалт (Isomalt)

Author: Nia Rouseberg Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: January 27, 2026

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In this article, learn more about Е953 - Изомалт (Isomalt). Isomalt is a mixture of two sugar alcohols - gluco-mannitol and gluco-sorbitol..

Isomalt is a mixture of two sugar alcohols - gluco-mannitol (GPM) and gluco-sorbitol (GPS).

It is artificially produced from sucrose, more precisely from its product isomaltulose, by adding certain enzymes and hydrogen.

Use

Isomalt is used as a sweetener, against sticking and crystallization in candies, caramel, chewing gum, chocolates, ice cream, pastries, muesli, fruit jam, frozen and smoked fish, jams, baby milk powders, cough syrups, multivitamins, film-coated tablets and more. It is marked E953 on labels in the European Union.

Digestion and metabolism of isomalt

Only about 10% of the isomalt taken is absorbed by the body in the form of glucose. Sorbitrol and mannitol pass into the small intestine, and the rest - to the colon, where it is broken down (fermented) by good bacteria into gases and short-chain fatty acids, which are partially absorbed in the colon and used as food by bacteria.

Nutritional value per gram:

calories = 2 kcal (which is about 50% less than sucrose);
glycemic index = 9;
net carbohydrates = 0 grams;
sweetness, relative to sucrose = 55%.

Benefits

Isomalt does not promote caries.
Low glycemic index (GI) - isomalt slightly raises blood glucose and insulin levels after ingestion and does not cause hypoglycaemia after a meal.

Negative effects

Isomaltate is not categorized as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but manufacturers can use it in food because the FDA has adopted a petition that requires this approval. It falls into the category "Unacceptable daily intake not specified" by the World Health Organization, which is the safest category. It is approved for use in the United States, Australia, the European Union, China, Japan, Russia, India and many other countries.
Isomalt removes water from the intestinal wall, so it can cause diarrhea if taken too much. Most healthy people could tolerate up to 50 grams of isomalt per day, with 1 chocolate of about 100 grams containing approximately 45 grams of isomalt and jams of about 10 grams.
An allergic reaction to products with the additive is also possible.

Physical properties

It is an odorless white crystal;
55% sweeter than sucrose, slowly dissolves in the mouth and has a slight cooling effect;
Low hygroscopicity - does not easily absorb moisture from the air at a relative humidity of 85%;
Soluble in water at 25 degrees, slightly soluble in ethanol;
Melting point = 145-150 degrees;
Decomposes at temperatures above 160 degrees;
Isomalt is gluten-free and edible.