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Click to Enlarge Unit Weight: 1500 grams Unit Volume: 2425 cc Click to Enlarge Certificate of Analysis Click to Enlarge Volumetric Equivalents

What is Mannitol?

Mannitol is a polyol or a sugar alcohol, which means it is derived from a sugar by reduction, just like other sugar alcohols xylitol and sorbitol. For this reason, Mannitol is similar in chemical structure to those other two polyols. Mannitol has about half the calories of sucrose and is also about half as sweet. Because Mannitol is poorly absorbed by the body it does not significantly raise insulin levels as does sucrose or fructose. Also, since Mannitol is not a significant promoter of tooth decay, it is often used in oral candies and chewing gum. Additionally, Mannitol is frequently used by diabetics, is occasionally used in the treatment of acutely raised intercranial pressure, and is also employed for enhancing drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

Mannitol has been widely and safely used for ingestion in the food and pharmaceutical industries around the world for over 60 years because of its unique functional properties. It is about 50 percent as sweet as sucrose and has a desirable cooling effect often used to mask bitter tastes. Mannitol is non-carcinogenic and has a low caloric content. Because Mannitol has a negative heat of solution (meaning that it absorbs heat and becomes cold as it dissolves) it is often added as a sweetener in breath freshening candies to provide a pleasingly cool sensation when dissolved in the mouth. In large doses greater than 20 grams it can act as a mild laxative.

Mannitol is found in nature, particularly from trees, and in marine algae and fresh mushrooms. Today, this isomer of sorbitol is currently synthesized by the hydrogenation of specialty glucose syrups. Mannitol is commercially available in variety of powder and granular forms. Unlike sorbitol, a polyol often used for its humectant properties, mannitol is nonhygroscopic, which means it does not pick up moisture. For this reason, it is often used very much like a dusting powder for chewing gum to ensure the gum will not stick to manufacturing equipment and wrappers. By virtue of its high melting point (165-169o C), mannitol is also used in chocolate-flavored coating agents for ice cream and confections. Its pleasant taste, stability to moisture pickup, and ability to retain its color at high temperatures, makes mannitol ideal for use in pharmaceuticals and nutritional tablets.

Mannitol, like all polyols, is a low digestible carbohydrate that is only partially absorbed from the small intestine and not metabolized. In the lower part of the intestinal tract, colonic bacteria metabolize some of the non-absorbed portion. In some people, this may occasionally cause softer stools or more intestinal gas than usual, similar to the effects of complex carbohydrate foods such as beans or prunes. A person's response to low digestible carbohydrates varies depending on individual factors such as amount and frequency of consumption. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's regulation for mannitol requires the following label statement for foods whose reasonably foreseeable consumption may result in the daily ingestion of 20 grams of mannitol: "Excess consumption may have a laxative effect." Mannitol is used in very small amounts in foods so the few people who may be sensitive usually have no problem if they gradually increase their consumption of low digestible carbohydrates.

What is Mannitol used for and who uses it?

Mannitol and sorbitol belong to a different family of sweeteners known as polyols or "sugar alcohols." Sugar alcohols are unique in that they don't give rise to elevated blood sugar levels. Sugar sweeteners deliver the same or fewer calories than fructose or sucrose, and have minimal effect on blood sugar levels. Mannitol, as well as sorbitol, is used in vitamins and pharmaceutical products to increase absorption of vitamins and other nutrients. Sorbitol and mannitol are passively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, which means absorption is very slow or minimal. Their passive absorption provides a longer time for minerals, such as calcium, to be absorbed. In addition, sorbitol and mannitol are inert substances, which mean they have little or no tendency or ability to react with other chemicals. The sweet taste of mannitol and sorbitol is used to mask the unpleasant taste of certain vitamins, such as B-vitamins, or drugs such as aspirin.

In food, Mannitol is beneficial to diabetics since they can use this as a sweetener. Products sweetened with mannitol in place of sugar may be useful in providing a wider variety of reduced calorie and sugar-free choices to people with diabetes. Mannitol can help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes since it does not seem to affect blood sugar, and it can be used as a sugar alternative in many sugar-free recipes. Low calorie sweeteners can really aid consumers on minimizing their caloric intake, which in turn leads to being able to manage and control weight better on a more sustainable basis. Controlling blood glucose, lipids and body weight are three major objectives in diabetes management. Since Mannitol is slowly absorbed from the intestinal tract, when mannitol is used, the rise in blood glucose and demand for insulin is much less than would be experienced after sucrose ingestion.

Also, since polyols, such as mannitol, in general are resistant to metabolism by oral bacteria and do not increase the acidity of the mouth after ingestion, mannitol does not promote tooth decay. This means that they will not lead to cavities or erode tooth enamel. The usefulness of polyols (including mannitol) as alternatives to sugars and as part of a comprehensive program including proper dental hygiene has been recognized by numerous authorities, including the American Dental Association. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a "does not promote tooth decay" health claim in labeling for sugar-free foods that contain polyols, including mannitol.

How pure is your Mannitol?

This pharmaceutical grade Mannitol Powder (USP26) sugar is assayed by the manufacturer at 99.69% product. You will receive a double sealed labeled bulk polyethylene bag containing this pure bulk powder product. Today, more than ever, Americans are recognizing that monitoring total caloric intake is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Calorie-controlled foods facilitate reaching today's nutrition and health goals. Even though good taste remains a vital factor in consumer acceptance of these products, we have all been made well aware in school and by the media of the many dangers imposed by the over-consumption of conventional sugars and artificial sweeteners. Since Mannitol is still isn’t that easy to find, and currently it is only available online and in some health food stores and groceries, buying this product in bulk is the best way to get this low calorie sweetener. Buying in bulk is also your best bet for saving money because for sure you’ll pay more at a local nutrition store. Bulk costs are cheaper in the long run and you will receive a great deal at or below wholesale prices for a high purity bulk quantity of this product.

What are some of the common effects and benefits of Mannitol?

Clinically, Mannitol is used to reduce acutely raised intracranial pressure until more definitive treatment can be applied, e.g., after head trauma. It is also used to treat patients with oliguric renal failure administered intravenously. Mannitol can also be used to open the blood-brain barrier by temporarily shrinking the tightly coupled endothelial cells that make up the barrier. This makes mannitol indispensable for delivering various drugs directly to the brain (e.g., in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease). Mannitol is commonly used in the circuit prime of a heart lung machine during cardiopulmonary bypass. The presence of mannitol preserves renal function during the times of low blood flow and pressure, while the patient is on bypass. The solution prevents the swelling of endothelial cells in the kidney, which may have otherwise reduced blood flow to this area and resulted in cell damage. Mannitol can also be used to temporarily encapsulate a sharp object (such as a helix on a lead for an artificial pacemaker) while it is passed through the venous system. Because the mannitol dissolves readily in blood, the sharp point will become exposed at its destination. In oral doses larger than 20 g, mannitol acts as an osmotic laxative, and is sometimes sold as a laxative for children. Mannitol can be very beneficial for just about everyone, from people on low-carb diets, people on calorie-restricted diets, people on restricted blood sugar diets, and people concerned about dental caries (cavities).

What is the daily suggested dose of Mannitol?

The use of mannitol in food is broadly permitted by FDA food additive regulations (21 CFR 180.25). The Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has reviewed the safety data and concluded that mannitol is safe. JECFA has allocated a temporary Acceptable Dietary Intake of 0-50mg/kg, depending upon individual needs. One half level tablespoon will supply approximately 3841 milligrams, or just about 4 grams for the bulk density of this Mannitol powder. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Mannitol here.

Safety and Potential side effects of Mannitol

Mannitol is a sugar alcohol, a sweetener that does not provide as many calories as sugar. But the main reason why sugar alcohols or polyols provide lesser calories than sugar is because they are not completely absorbed into your body. Because of this, high consumption of foods, drinks, and other substances containing sugar alcohols can lead to abdominal gas and diarrhea. Excessive consumption of Mannitol may result in digestive upset, diarrhea, and bloating. Also, keep in mind that even though sugar alcohols are lower in calories, gram for gram, than sugar, they are not calorie-free, and if taken in large enough quantities, the calories can be equivalent to that of sugar-containing foods.

Taste, solubility, and appearance of Mannitol

Mannitol is a white granulated powder with a clean sweet taste that is similar to sucrose. Mannitol also has a propensity to crystallize and is not as soluble as sucrose, so ingredients may also be chosen to help negate this disadvantage. Mannitol has a transparent white brilliant appearance and is a free-flowing crystalline powder. This product dissolves somewhat slowly in water and tastes very much like sugar at about 50% to 60% of the sweetness of sucrose and with no bitterness or aftertaste.

Mannitol is used in the following Proprietary Formulas

Berocca, Mannogem Powder, Osmitrol, Cargill, Roquette America, SPI Polyols, Anabolic Rush (AST), Maximize (I Force), Proteon Bars (Universal), The Protein Cookie (Fit Foods), Zerose (Cargill), Zsweet, VitaminWater 10 (owned by Coca Cola), Truvia™

References & Further Research

Cerebral Edema and Ophthalmoplegia Reversed by Mannitol in a New Case of Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Cerebral edema is a sometimes fatal complication of diabetic ketoacidosis which occurs unpredictably and when biochemical parameters show improvement. A case of a young, newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetic boy who developed this complication while receiving a low-dose continuous insulin infusion is reported. Two hours after treatment signs of headache, ophthalmoplegia, and blurred disc margins suggested early cerebral edema. Despite fluid restriction, avoidance of alkali, and phosphate supplementation,cerebral edema ensued three hours later. This complication was then reversed by administration of mannitol. Our patient's ophthalmoplegia, unlike typical diabetic ophthalmoplegia, improved immediately and completely resolved within two weeks after this episode.It is concluded that the use of mannitol in the cerebral edema of diabetic ketoacidosis is beneficial if it is instituted promptly.

Formula for Use of Mannitol in Patients with Intracerebral Haemorrhage and High Intracranial Pressure
Although mannitol has been widely used in hospitals to treat patients with high intracranial pressure (ICP) secondary to intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), no universal agreement has been reached regarding the optimal dosage of this agent for achieving appropriate intracranial decompression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different mannitol dosages on ICP and the effects of other factors, such as sex, age, haemorrhage location and haematoma volume, on the ICP-lowering effect of mannitol. Overall data suggest that use of mannitol significantly decreased ICP in all patients. The total mannitol dosage required for individual patients with ICH and elevated ICP can be calculated by considering the location of the haemorrhage, the volume of the haematoma and the pretreated ICP reading.

Mannitol for International Customers

We have the most economical shipping costs & labeling practices for International orders. You can see our shipping costs here. Also, please note, that anything in a 1.5kg package can be shipped within a single flat rate envelope, however our shopping cart mistakenly displays 2 envelopes. Go ahead and ship the order, and you will notice that it only charges you the cost of 1 anyway. Look at the shipping costs tab above to see for yourself how you can calculate these charges.

Buying Mannitol Bulk or Wholesale

If you need Mannitol in bulk or wholesale quantities, please feel free to contact us with sourcing/shipping/fulfilment questions. If you have any questions about shipping or would like to arrange a shipment to an excluded country please use the contact page!