Which of the following are sugar alcohols?

• A. Glucose, fructose, and galactose
• B. Sucrose, lactose, and maltose
• C. Sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol
• D. Dextrose, xylose, and ribose

Answer: (C)

Sugar alcohols are a class of polyols used as sweeteners, characterized by multiple hydroxyl groups and not being true sugars. The trio sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol are classic examples of sugar alcohols, formed by the hydrogenation of sugars. They typically provide fewer calories and have a smaller impact on blood glucose than regular sugars, though they can have laxative effects in large amounts because some are not fully absorbed in the intestine.

The other groups listed are not sugar alcohols: glucose, fructose, and galactose are monosaccharides; sucrose, lactose, and maltose are disaccharides; and dextrose, xylose, and ribose include glucose and other simple sugars that are not polyols.