Glycerin is a compound that has many uses. In foods, it can help add sweetness, act as a preservative, and perform other functions.
Glycerin comes from animal and vegetable fats. It is very versatile and can be added to many products, from drinks such as soft drinks to soaps.
Learn more about glycerin and the various foods that contain it.
What is glycerin?
Glycerin is a type of carbohydrate called sugar alcohol. It has many names too. Glycerol is very common and glycerin is also used. These compounds have the same structure, meaning they are simply different names for the same chemical.
Hundreds of products contain glycerol or glycerin, from cosmetics to cough syrups and soaps. He US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labels glycerin as safe for human consumption when good manufacturing processes are followed.
Glycerin is transparent, colorless and odorless depending on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). It has a low melting point of 64 degrees F and a high boiling point of 554 degrees F. The low melting point makes it useful in beverages, because it will not solidify while stored in the refrigerator.
Glycerin sweetens
As a sugar alcohol, glycerin has a sweet taste. Compared to table sugar, glycerin contains more calories. It has 4.32 calories per 1 gram (g) compared to 3.87 calories per 1 g for sugar, according to the International Food Information Council. However, glycerin is only 60 to 75 percent sweeter than sugar.
Glycerin often appears as an ingredient in sweeteners that are sugar substitutes. Brown monk fruit, for example, has a flavor and texture similar to brown sugar and may contain natural flavors in addition to glycerin, according to Yocomprehensive health.
Glycerol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in some fruits. Sweeteners like this have fewer calories, cause fewer cavities, and cause a milder spike in blood sugar levels compared to table sugar, according to Massachusetts General Hospital. Still, eating sugar alcohols in excess can cause stomach upset, and more research is needed to better understand how these sugar substitutes affect long-term health.
Other uses of glycerin in foods
In addition to sweetening foods, glycerin can act as a preservative and thickener, and helps foods retain moisture. According to the International Food Information Council, this versatility makes it a good candidate for use in a wide variety of foods.
Many of these foods are sweet, such as soft candies, gum, marshmallows, and cake frosting. You can also find glycerin in:
- Nutritional and energy bars
- Condiments
- Diet and sugar-free foods
- Dried fruits and vegetables
- soups
- Spices and condiments
Glycerin is also found naturally in some foods. These include beer, honey, vinegar, wine and wine vinegar.
It is possible to have too much glycerin. There is no daily limit set for this, but according to the International Food Information Council, eating too much at once can cause:
- headaches
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
According to a review of a case in Archives of childhood diseasesChildren can get sick after drinking drinks with glycerol. The review looked at 21 reports of children who drank sugar-free frozen drinks containing glycerol and later developed symptoms such as decreased consciousness and hypoglycemia.
The authors say children should avoid drinking slushies containing glycerol, adding that these drinks offer no nutritional value.
