What are the health benefits of sugar replacers (polyols)?

Sugar replacers (polyols) provide fewer calories per gram than does sugar, they do not promote tooth decay and they do not cause sudden increases in blood glucose levels.  Because they taste good, people can improve the healthfulness of their diets without having to sacrifice the pleasure of eating sweet foods they enjoy.

Sugar provides approximately 4.0 calories per gram.  The FDA allows the use of the following caloric values:

Isomalt:  2 calories per gram

Maltitol:  2.1 calories per gram

Sorbitol:  2.6 calories per gram

HSH:  3 calories per gram

Source:  Calorie Control Council