{"id":13091,"date":"2021-10-05T06:52:21","date_gmt":"2021-10-04T22:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefooduntold.com\/?p=13091"},"modified":"2022-02-16T22:44:03","modified_gmt":"2022-02-16T14:44:03","slug":"what-are-humectants-in-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefooduntold.com\/food-additives\/what-are-humectants-in-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Humectants In Foods?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you are used to reading labels off a chewing gum wrapper, you have probably once read the words “mannitol”, “glycerol”, or “sorbitol” in the ingredient list. These ingredients are sugar substitutes in foods that also work as humectants. Chewing gums, candies, and marshmallows are just one of the many food items that contain them. What exactly are humectants? Why are they added? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humectants have one thing in common\u2014they are hygroscopic. Hygroscopic substances or additives can attract and absorb water. In the food manufacturing industry, they help retain the product’s texture and viscosity, reduce water activity, control crystallization, and more importantly retain moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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