Trehalose

Also known as mycose.  Trehalose is a disaccharide found in mushrooms, insects, other fungi, plants and bacteria.  It consists of 2 glucose units linked together by an alpha 1-1 glucoside bond.  Trehalose digests more slowly than many other dietary sugars, and has a moderate glycemic index.

Trehalose is used largely as a cryopreservative and food additive, as it’s hygroscopic and enhances the stability of proteins.  Trehalose also has potential therapeutic uses: animal studies have shown it has protective effects in Huntington’s Disease and Alzheimer’s.