mannitol

noun

man·​ni·​tol ˈma-nə-ˌtȯl 

-ˌtōl

: a slightly sweet crystalline alcohol C₆H₁₄O₆ found in many plants and used especially as a diuretic and in testing kidney function

Examples of mannitol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus, it was all cut with mannitol. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025

Great taste and no zylitol, mannitol or sorbitol which has a laxative effect. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026

Some of its properties include D-mannitol, polysacchides and 18 different amino acids. — Lisa Mulcahy, Good Housekeeping, 12 Mar. 2023

Sugar alcohols, including mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol, are sweeteners in many sugar-free products. — Amanda MacMillan, Health, 24 Mar. 2024

Sugar alcohols like erythritol, mannitol and sorbitol, plus dehydration, caffeine and alcoholic beverages have also been shown to cause stomach issues and pain in some people. — Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024

On the other hand, many powders contain artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols such as aspartame, saccharin, sorbitol, and mannitol. — Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Feb. 2026

The sugar alcohols include sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, mannitol, erythritol, and maltitol. — Jamie Pitlick, Quartzy, 3 July 2019

Foods containing artificial sweeteners (particularly sugar alcohols, like sorbitol, mannitol, and glycerol) can also dial up the gas in your GI tract and lead to bloating. — Marygrace Taylor, SELF, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

mannite + -ol entry 1

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mannitol

noun

man·​ni·​tol ˈman-ə-ˌtȯl  -ˌtōl 

: a slightly sweet crystalline alcohol C₆H₁₄O₆ found in many plants and used especially as a diuretic and in testing kidney function