So everyone has probably heard of glycerine by now...the "carbohydrate" that is prevelent in almost all mainstream "low carb" protein bars these days. Lables claim that it does not count as a net carb because it has negligible effects on blood glucose and insulin levels. Just checking to see what everyone's opinion is on it. Also, does anyone know the mechanism by which it is metabolized?

I don't have the details on it. So far, the only thing I have read that there are no specific studies that show how the body uses glycerin. Interesting?

Well, when I get my computer, I'll do more research. As far as I understand, glycerin is a corn derivative. Now, if this is the same product I know of, it feels oily and is used in far more products, such as hand cleaners, NITRO glycerin, etc. So, perhaps it is not metabolized at all, but as in other cases, simply a vehicle or stablizer.

It is also used as a vehicle in White Castle "Sliders". Just kidding.

Frank

It also goes by the name glycerol. Basically a 3 carbon chain with an -OH group attatched to each (CH2OH-CH2OH-CH2OH). The base molecule for triglycerides, except a fatty acid is attatched insead of an OH at each carbon. The molecule itself, according to lables, has a caloric value of 4.34 kcal/g, and although made of only CHO (therefore, a carbohydrate), it supposedly does not use insulin to digest. Just interested to find out exactly how it works, and also if it could possibly be used as an alternate energy source during dieting, since it will not cause an insulin spike.