A novel sensing method for polyhydroxy compounds has been established based on the stimuli-responsive inclusion complex of boronic acid-modified amylose with iodine. An aqueous solution containing the boronic acid-modified amylose and iodine was coloured bluish purple due to encapsulation of iodine within the helical cavity of amylose. When polyhydroxy compounds were added, the solution gradually lost its colour with increasing concentration of polyhydroxy compounds. This colour change was attributed to the dissociation of iodine from the amylose cavity in response to the polyhydroxy compounds. According to detailed examinations, it was concluded that the origin of the responsiveness is derived from an electrostatic repulsion between anionic boronate groups and iodine.