L-Arabinose: One Of The Best Cane Sugar Substitute Options

4% L-arabinose mixed with 96% sugar can inhibit 70%-80% of sucrose from being absorbed by the body. In other words, although L-arabinose is called ‘sugar,’ it is not absorbed by the body after ingestion. So, what kind of sugar is this? Where did it come from? How to prepare? Wait for a series of questions. Today, Nutri Avenue is here to introduce this overlooked low-energy sweetening additive.

What Is L-Arabinose?

Arabinose is a naturally occurring sugar in nature. It was first extracted from an Arabian tree plant through complex chemical and physical methods. That’s why it’s called arabinose. It is a green biological functional sugar with relatively high health value but difficult to extract. There is another type of D-arabinose found in nature. It can be absorbed by the human body and produce energy. Nowadays, industrially produced L-Arabinose mostly uses corn cobs and straws from agricultural products as the main raw materials.

It is a five-carbon monosaccharide that occurs naturally in nature. At room temperature, it is a white elongated needle-shaped crystalline powder. Odorless and easily soluble in water. The sweetness is 50%-60% of sucrose, which is basically not absorbed by the human body and does not generate heat. It is a low-energy sweetener. L-Arabinose usually exists as heteropolysaccharides in the husks of fruits and whole grains. It has high acid/heat stability.

What’s more worth mentioning is that, unlike many sugar substitute raw materials, this sugar can undergo a Maillard reaction and caramelization reaction. Therefore, it has good processing characteristics. Moreover, it can also be compounded with sucrose in a specific ratio. This compound sugar can replace white sugar in a 1:1 ratio.

Sucrose VS L-Arabinose: More Healthy, More Safe

Sucrose, also called cane sugar, is a sugar composed of six carbon atoms. For example, we often use white sugar, brown sugar, rock sugar, and brown sugar are all sucrose. These types of sugar have calories. And these are free sugars that WHO clearly requires strict restriction of intake.

Arabinose is different. It contains only five carbon atoms in its molecule, also called five-carbon sugar. It has no calories and is not absorbed by the digestive tract. It is a purely natural, safe, calorie-free, and healthy sugar.

3 Major Effects Of L-Arabinose: Weight Loss, Blood Sugar Regulation, And Intestinal Health

• It can solve constipation.

Since there are no enzymes in the human intestine to digest five-carbon sugars, arabinose is difficult to be absorbed by the intestines. It can successfully solve the problem of constipation. And it can be used as a purely natural food. In this case, it is neither a medicine nor a health product. Therefore, long-term consumption will not cause toxic side effects or dependence on the body.

• It can inhibit sucrase activity in the small intestine and has a blocking and inhibitory effect on the metabolic conversion of sucrose.

If arabinose is added in a certain proportion, the body can inhibit the absorption of sucrose by 70%. It can even improve glucose tolerance. Therefore, it suppresses the increase in blood glucose and insulin concentrations caused by sucrose ingestion. For people with high blood sugar, people with diabetes, and pregnant women with gestational diabetes, it has good blood sugar-regulating benefits.

• It regulates intestinal flora and proliferates beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Because the body does not absorb arabinose in the intestines, harmful bacteria do not use it. It is only utilized by Bifidobacteria. It promotes the proliferation of probiotic bacteria in the intestines, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. It also has the effect of promoting human intestinal health. Moreover, sucrose in the intestine is inhibited by arabinose, so the part of sucrose that has not been broken down into glucose and fructose cannot be absorbed by the small intestine. After it reaches the large intestine, it will cooperate with arabinose to promote the growth of Lactobacillus. Microorganisms in the large intestine can break it down into many short-chain organic acids. These organic acids inhibit fat synthesis in the liver, thereby achieving the effect of fat loss.

How To Use L Arabinose In Products?

The first is used as a sugar substitute product. For example, use it instead of traditional cane sugar. It can be added to Western bakeries, breads, cakes, desserts, and drinks to replace white sugar.

The second is used as a prebiotic. In recent years, this raw material has been widely used as a prebiotic in intestinal health. This ingredient helps resolve constipation issues.

There is also one that can be eaten with meals. It suppresses postprandial blood sugar and regulates blood sugar. And it achieves the effect of fat loss.

Conclusion

L-Arabinose is a naturally occurring sugar. Although its sweetness is only half that of sucrose, it is basically not absorbed by the human body and does not generate heat. It is a healthier option. It helps with weight loss, constipation, and intestinal health. It also supports blood sugar regulation. Therefore, it can be used as a sugar substitute and added to various foods. It can also be used as a prebiotic in various intestinal health products.

Nutri Avenue recommends L-Arabinose as one of the best cane sugar substitutes. In addition, intestinal health supplements may also consider adding this ingredient.