1. What sweeteners does Dr. John's use in its Dr. John's Candies® with Xylitol and SimplyXylitol™ Candies?
2. What is HSH?
3. Is it safe to eat foods containing HSH?
4. How can HSH support dental health?
5. How does HSH affect blood sugar?
6. What Dr. John's products does Homestead Market carry?
7. Who will benefit from eating Dr. John's Candies?


What sweeteners does Dr. John's use in its Dr. John's Candies® with Xylitol and SimplyXylitol™ Candies?(1)
Dr. John's uses Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysates (HSH) and Xylitol in Dr. John's Candies® with Xylitol and SimplyXylitol™ Candies. See our Xylitol FAQ for more information on this all-natural sweetener.

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What is HSH?
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysates (HSH), including hydrogenated glucose syrups, maltitol syrups (also called Lycasin®), and sorbitol syrups, are a family of products found in a wide variety of foods and serve a variety of roles, including use as bulk sweeteners and sugar-free carriers for flavors, colors and enzymes. HSH are natural corn-based sweeteners and are the main base sweetener and bulking agent used in both Dr. John's Candies® with Xylitol and Simply Xylitol™ Candies.

HSH are exceptionally well suited for sugar-free candies because they do not crystallize.(2) HSH are classified as sugar alcohols, also called polyols.



Wikipedia: Hydrogenated starch hydrolysates are produced by the partial hydrolysis of starch – most often corn starch but also potato starch or wheat starch. This creates dextrins (glucose and short glucose chains). The hydrolyzed starch (dextrin) then undergoes hydrogenation to convert the dextrins to sugar alcohols. Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate is similar to sorbitol: if the starch is completely hydrolyzed so that there are only single glucose molecules, then after hydrogenation the result is sorbitol. Because in HSH the starch is not completely hydrolyzed, a mixture of sorbitol, maltitol, and longer chain hydrogenated saccharides (such as maltotriitol) is produced. When there is no single dominant polyol in the mix, the generic name hydrogenated starch hydrosylate is used. However, if 50% or more of the polyols in the mixture are of one type, it can be labeled as "sorbitol syrup", or "maltitol syrup", etc.(3)



Is it safe to eat foods containing HSH?
Sugar alcohols have been designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe for use as food additives or as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea, especially in children.(4)

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How can HSH support dental health?
Unlike sugar, HSH are resistant to metabolism by oral bacteria which break down sugars and release acids that may lead to cavities or erode tooth enamel. HSH, therefore, do not cause cavities. The usefulness of HSH (polyols) as alternatives to sugars and as part of a comprehensive program including proper dental hygiene has been recognized by the American Dental Association.(1)(4)

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How does HSH affect blood sugar?
Unlike sugar, the slow and incomplete absorption of HSH after consumption does not cause a significant rise in blood glucose and insulin response. Also, HSH have a reduced caloric value (75 percent or less than that of sugar). Products in which HSH replace sugar may, therefore, be of use providing a wider variety of reduced calorie and sugar-free choices to people with diabetes (on the advice of their physician).

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What Dr. John's products does Homestead Market carry?
Homestead Market carries these Dr. John's Candies® with Xylitol: Caramels and Caramel Nougat Swirls, hard-candy discs and lollipops in assorted flavors. Its SimplyXylitol™ candies include caramels, chocolates, lollipops and mints. Homestead Market also carries SimplyXylitol™ bulk crystals made in the U.S. from birch wood.

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Who will benefit from eating Dr. John's Candies?
While Dr. John's Xylitol Candies® with Xylitol and SimplyXylitol Candies™ are a favorite of children -- especially the lollipops -- they may also be used as follows:


• treats for diabetics, per doctor's consent
• promoting dental health
• diet aid
• promoting a healthier lifestyle
• dry mouth aid
• school treats
• smoking alternative
• business give-aways
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RESOURCES:


1. Unless otherwise stated, this information is provided by Dr. John's Candies, which manufactures both Dr. John's Candies® with Xylitol and SimplyXylitol™ Candies, http://www.drjohns.com, August 2010.
2. Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysates, Calorie Control Council, http://www.caloriecontrol.org/sweeteners-and-lite/polyols/hsh, August 2010. See also: "Polyols Information Source - Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysates" at http://www.polyol.org/fap/fap_starch_hydrolysates.html.
3. Hydrogenated starch hydrosylate, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogenated_starch_hydrosylate, August 2010.
4. "Evidence-Based Nutrition Principles and Recommendations for the Treatment and Prevention of Diabetes and Related Complications," Marion J. Franz, et. al, Diabetes Care, Vol. 25, No. 1, January 2002, p.153.
5. Federal Register 61 FR43433, August 23, 1996 – Food Labeling: Health Claims; Sugar Alcohols and Dental Caries, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/LabelClaims/HealthClaimsMeetingSignificantScientificAgreementSSA/ucm074192.htm, August 2010.

This instruction sheet is provided by the manufacturer or has been compiled by Homestead Market from materials provided by the manufacturer. Homestead Market is providing this information solely for your ease of reference. Homestead Market is not providing this as advice, nor does Homestead Market make any representations regarding the accuracy of the instructions. Statements about this product have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.