Whatis sugar alcohol? ( VETs)

I was looking at some labels and I was wondering what is sugar alcohol and what are th effects?

They are generally artificial sweeteners that do not raise your glucose level but they do upset some peoples stomachs. I tend to do okay with most of them but some cannot eat any comfortably.

Sugar alcohols offer the sweetness of sugar without all the calories.
They are much sweeter than regular sugar, so it takes a small
amount to sweeten foodsand beverages.  Your body converts them
into glucose much more slowly than sugar, thus avoiding a sudden rise
in blood glucose levels.Sugar alcohols are beneficial because they
allow surgical weight loss patients to enjoy foods that are low in calories and
also low in sugar which helps prevent dumping syndrome. If eaten in large
amounts sugar alcohols can have a laxative effect and produce bloating,
gas and diarrhea since they are incompletely digestible substances (I can't
have a lot of sugar alcohol because of this).  When trying a food with
sugar alcohols for the first time, try just a small amount to check for
tolerance; experienced bariactric surgery patientsknow that when you
try something new, it is a good idea to try it on the weekend and at home.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=sugar+alcohol+

Anything with sugar alcohols in any true measurable amount, like those lovely protein bars and stuff like that, give me horrific gas. Like cramping, rolling on the floor, peel the paint off the walls gas.

NOT fun.

The give me diarrhea. Not pleasant especially if you aren't having regular BM's then eat sugar alcohols.

Some do affect sugar later. Studies show that it does matter which one it is. One of the more common ones raises blood sugar.  I don't trust them. I figure something bad will come out about it later.

I stick with as many whole foods as possible. So I would say use sparingly.

Completely candid here.  I do not eat recreational sugar, but I will eat sugar alcohols (i.e., many "sugar free" foods).  HOWEVER, I find some of these foods can be just as triggery as their sugary counter-parts.  Sugar free hard candy is easy for me to have one or two pieces from a bag then not think about it for days.  Sugar free chocolate, not so easy.  I want the whole bag.  The sugar alcohols are also carby, so foods that use them have a lot of carbs, which I try to keep on the low side.