Is Sorbitol Considered Sugar-Free?

Key Point: Sorbitol is a low-calorie sugar alcohol widely used in sugar-free products. How Is Sorbitol Produced? First of all, sorbitol is a naturally-occurring compound, and we can find it in fruits such as cherries, plums, pears, raspberries, and strawberries (5, 6).

Sorbitol replaces sugar in diabetic products. It is because the substitute tastes sweet, but it contains almost no calories and, according to studies, is also said to be gentle on the teeth. It is why sorbitol is increasingly getting found in products considered sugar-free.

Sorbitol has a smooth mouthfeel and cool taste. It’s 60% as sweet as sugar with about 60% of the calories. It’s a common ingredient in sugar-free foods and drinks, including jelly spreads and soft candy.

Since it is used as a substitute, sorbitol is also called a sugar substitute. It is found in almost all food products that are declared sugar-free. In addition to muesli and baked goods, it is also found in chewing gum.

Sorbitol is a sweet-tasting sugar alcohol which enjoys popularity as a low-calorie sweetener. However, is it a safe choice of sweetener? In this article, we look at precisely what sorbitol is, its production process, and the sweetener’s potential benefits and side effects.

Otherwise known as glucitol, sorbitol is much lower in calories than regular table sugar, and it is also lower on the glycemic index. While regular sugar contains four calories per gram, sorbitol provides only 2.6 calories per gram ( 1 ).

Most of the potential benefits that come from using sorbitol are because it isn’t sugar. In other words; it results in a smaller glycemic response, and it isn’t as bad for oral health. Small Impact on Blood Glucose and Insulin Levels As previously mentioned, sorbitol has a glycemic index of 9.

How many calories are in sorbitol?

While regular sugar contains four calories per gram, sorbitol provides only 2.6 calories per gram ( 1 ). The glycemic index is a system that we can use to understand the potential impact of a carbohydrate source on blood sugar levels. In the glycemic index, foods are ranked by their level of impact on raising blood sugar levels.

A rating of 0 is the lowest possible score, while 100 is the highest and equivalent to pure glucose ( 2 ). Sorbitol has a glycemic index of only 9, which suggests that it should have little impact on blood glucose levels ( 1 ).

Specifically, research shows that the small intestine only absorbs around 50-79% of total sorbitol ( 12 ). As is the case with all sugar alcohols, if not absorbed in the small intestine, sorbitol passes to the colon. In the colon, bacteria ferment sorbitol into short-chain fatty acids such as butyric acid ( 13, 14 ).

When sorbitol is an ingredient in packaged foods produced within the European Union, it may be listed on the ingredients by the ‘E number’ E420 ( 4 ). Key Point: Sorbitol is a low-calorie sugar alcohol widely used in sugar-free products.

However, commercial production via the hydrogenation of starch is the most common way to make sorbitol. This production process may use raw materials such as corn, potatoes, sorghum, or wheat ( 7, 8 ). To briefly summarize, the production of sorbitol follows the process below ( 7, 9 );

That said, there is one form of oral bacteria, called Streptococcus mutans, that can slowly ferment sorbitol ( 24 ). Erythritol and xylitol, which are not fermentable by oral bacteria, are more effective for promoting dental health ( 25, 26, 27 ).

Potential Laxative Effect. Another potential downside of consuming sorbitol is that it can have a laxative effect, particularly in higher doses. In an early study, 25 grams of sorbitol split throughout the day caused a laxative effect in 5% of 101 participants ( 31 ).

What is the effect of sorbitol on the small intestine?

Firstly, undigested sorbitol in the small intestine acts as a substrate (platform) for the fermentation of bacteria. Hydrogen gas is produced causing abdominal cramps, bloating and severe flatulence. These are also common symptoms of food intolerance.

Problems arise when people use sugar-free chewing gum or sweets as a habit. The action of sorbitol is to linger in the gut because it is not digested. Dosing ourselves daily means we are less able to clear sorbitol from our systems: each day it accrues to a greater and greater concentration.

Research now shows even moderate amounts of sorbitol can cause chaos in the intestine.

Now enjoying double-digit sales growth, they deliver profit margins which far outstrip chocolate bars or candy (1). Sorbitol is a natural laxative and occurs in small amounts in pears, prunes and other fruits.

Sorbitol is also thought to be a cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (2). Most sugar-free products carry warnings like: Excess consumption can have a laxative effect. However, the packs are so small that reading them is difficult, and more importantly the term excess usage is not explained or quantified.

What is sorbitol in fruit?

What is sorbitol? Sorbitol, also called D-sorbitol, 50-70-4, E420, and D-glucitol, is a type of carbohydrate. It falls into a category of sugar alcohols called polyols. This water-soluble compound is found naturally in some fruits, including apples, apricots, dates, berries, peaches, plums, and figs ( 1. Trusted Source.

First, sugar alcohols are often used in foods and beverages in place of traditional sugar to reduce their calorie content. Sorbitol contains approximately two-thirds of the calories of table sugar and provides about 60% of the sweetness ( 2 ).

Alternatives. If you’re looking for an alternative to sorbitol to provide laxative effects, several low risk options are available. The most similar alternatives are other sugar alcohols like erythritol or xylitol, which are commonly used in chewing gum and diet drinks ( 16. Trusted Source.

However, many variations of sorbitol products exist, so it’s likely that their shelf lives vary. If stored correctly, most products typically last 6–12 months, although this depends on the form and brand.

Side effects and precautions. Consuming sorbitol or other sugar alcohols in large amounts can cause bloating and diarrhea in some people, especially if you’re not used to regularly consuming them . This can be an unwelcome result for some, but the desired effect for those using it to promote bowel activity.

Third, unlike table sugar, sugar alcohols like sorbitol don ’t contribute to the formation of cavities.

, 8. Trusted Source. ). Still, while some laxatives can be habit-forming and shouldn’t be used for prolonged periods, sorbitol is considered a less risky, non-stimulative laxative.

How to tell if toothpaste is sorbitol free?

You can easily find out whether your toothpaste is sorbitol-free by looking at the list of contents. But even with sorbitol intolerance, a regular toothpaste can be used without any concerns or complaints. Since the toothpaste is not swallowed but spit out, the sugar alcohol does not get into the intestine.

Usually sorbitol is absorbed into the blood via the intestinal wall and then broken down in the liver. But with an estimated 80 percent of people in the Western world, this absorption is disturbed. The experience sorbitol malabsorption.

That is why sorbitan monostearate is often used as an additive in the food industry and in cosmetic products. In addition to baked goods, the additive is also found in chocolate, lemonades, sauces, jams and dry yeast. All sorbitan fatty acid esters are listed with E numbers E 491 to E 495.

Sorbitol – Everything you need to know about sugar alcohol. Dr. med. Andre Sommer. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol (polyol). It occurs naturally in various foods. Due to its ability to attract water, sorbitol is also used in industrially manufactured baked goods.

Sorbitol intolerance could be the cause in this case. This is often accompanied by an intolerance to fructose. The two incompatibilities can be diagnosed with the H2 breath test. Please inform yourself in our specialist article about sorbitol intolerance.

In addition to the foods in which sorbitol naturally occurs, it is often added to a wide variety of products in the food industry. Various types of fruit belong to the naturally sorbitol-rich foods. Especially stone fruits and pome fruits contain sugar alcohol. You can find a list in the table. Dried fruits have an even higher sorbitol content.

Due to the widespread use of sorbitol and its chemical compounds, a look at the list of ingredients and E numbers for sorbitol intolerance is particularly important! While sorbitol is well tolerated in small amounts, large amounts lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea