Yes. Gummy supplements can be manufactured without added sugars, so they're a standard option for diabetic consumers and anyone cutting back on sugar. At KorNutra, we formulate custom gummies to fit specific dietary requirements, including sugar-free options.
How Sugar-Free Gummy Supplements Are Made
Gummies traditionally get their sweetness and chewiness from sugars like sucrose or corn syrup. A diabetic-friendly version swaps those for alternatives that taste right and keep sugar and carbohydrate numbers low.
Common Sugar Alternatives in Gummy Manufacturing:
- Sugar Alcohols: Maltitol, sorbitol, or xylitol add bulk and sweetness. Maltitol raises blood sugar more than the other two.
- High-Intensity Sweeteners: Stevia, sucralose, or monk fruit deliver sweetness in tiny amounts and add no bulk.
- Dietary Fibers: Soluble corn fiber or inulin add bulk and fiber rather than sweetness.
Important Considerations for Development
Formulating a great sugar-free gummy takes expertise. Take out sugar and you change more than flavor. Texture, shelf life, and production all shift. A good manufacturer balances sweeteners with gelling agents (pectin works well for sugar-free gummies) to get a quality, stable, tasty product.
Sugar alcohols also have a digestive downside. In excess, they cause gas and a laxative effect, and FDA requires a warning on products with added sorbitol or mannitol.
Sugar-Free and No Added Sugars Are Different Claims
Sugar-free and no added sugars sound alike, but FDA regulates them separately. Sugar-free means less than 0.5 grams of total sugars per serving (21 CFR 101.60(c)(1)). No added sugars means no sugar or sugar-containing ingredient was added during processing, so natural sugars can remain. Decide on the claim before production. A diabetic consumer also checks total carbohydrates, and sugar alcohols are not carbohydrate-free: maltitol carries about 2 to 3 calories per gram with a glycemic index around 35, roughly half that of table sugar.
If you're launching a gummy line for diabetics, team up with a manufacturer who knows sugar-free inside out. That way your gummies taste good and live up to the label every time.