According to Healthline, there are eight sugar alcohols humans can consume — erythritol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, isomalt, lactitol, mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol and xylitol.

Also in this category of largely indigestible carbohydrates are sugar alcohols, such as mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and other polyols, which are modified alcohol molecules that resemble sugar.

Leading the manna charge is Giulio Gelardia, a farmer from Pollina, Sicily. Gelardia has been working for decades to spark a revival in production and he seems to be making modest headway.

Types of sugar alcohol include: Sugar alcohol has been used as a sugar alternative for a while. For example, in the United States, mannitol was approved in 1950, and xylitol was approved in 1960.

This goes for sugar alcohols, like mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol, too. They can be found in sugar-free foods, but are still a type of carbohydrate and can make your blood sugar swing.