Is Sorbitol Safe?

Consuming excess amounts of sugar is bad for health. Specially, people suffering from diabetes are advised not to consume sugar and sugar containing foods as it can raise their blood sugar level. Secondly, people watching their weight or trying to reduce weight also should consume less amounts of sugar. However, there are very few of us who can actually give up sugar. Therefore, artificial sweeteners like Sorbitol are very popular all over the world today.

What is Sorbitol

Sorbitol is a type of sugar which is also known as sugar alcohol or polyol or glucitol. Sorbitol contains less amounts of calorie as compared to normal sugar and hence, it is used as an artificial sweeteners. It is a debatable issue whether sorbitol should be named as an artificial sweetener or not as it is naturally found in several fruits like prunes, apricots, etc. Sorbitol is also commercially made and used as a sweetener in diabetic foods, sugar-free chocolates and gums. Sorbitol (C₆H₁₄O₆) is very similar to glucose, however it contains less amounts of calories and is absorbed very slowly in the body. Sorbitol also tends to hold on water or moisture which helps in softening stools. Due to these properties of sorbitol, it is used as a non-stimulant laxative. Commercially made sorbitol is found in nearly all the diabetic foods, all sugar-free candies and gum, toothpaste, cough syrups, etc.

Side Effects of Sorbitol

You must be aware that there are several side effects associated with nearly all artificial sweeteners available in the market. For e.g, certain sweeteners like stevia are believed to contain cancer causing constituents. Therefore, naturally arises the question, is sorbitol safe for children and adults? Well, there definitely are side effects associated with sorbitol, like abdominal discomfort and disorders of the abdomen. The following are some of the other effects observed on consuming sorbitol containing foods and products on a daily basis.

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Stomach cramps
• Bloating
• Flatulence
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Allergy
• Skin rash
• Itching
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss

Abdominal discomforts and disorders of the Gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) like irritable bowel syndrome are the most common side effects of sorbitol. Similarly, severe diarrhea has been experienced by several people consuming sorbitol containing products. People (usually children) may have an allergy or intolerance to sorbitol. In that case, they may experience an allergic reaction like skin rash, itching, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, etc. However, you should note that these symptoms are observed only on consuming large amount of sorbitol every day, like 4-5 sorbitol containing gums.

The above mentioned side effects can also be observed on consuming sorbitol during pregnancy. One of the severe side effects of sorbitol is diarrhea which can be a serious health condition during pregnancy. Sorbitol is a safe sugar and contains less calories. However, it is absorbed very slowly and can lead to gastrointestinal disorders in diabetics. Therefore, in both the cases, one should consult the doctor before including sorbitol containing products in the diet.

While summarizing the above, we can conclude by saying that consuming excess amounts of sorbitol can cause abdominal disorders and hence, it should be consumed in limited amounts, and only after consulting the doctor. Take care!