Used as a humectant in cosmetics and personal care products to retain moisture and improve texture. Commonly found in toothpaste and mouthwash due to its sweet taste and non-cariogenic properties. Serves as a sugar substitute in diabetic foods and sugar-free chewing gum. Employed in pharmaceuticals as an excipient in tablets and as a laxative in some oral solutions. Also used in cell culture media as a carbon source and in the production of vitamin C through fermentation processes.