Sorbitol Blamed For Excessive Weight Loss

According to an article published in the British Medical Journal, an additive found in some brands of sugar-free gum may be causing excessive weight loss. Sorbitol is used as a sweetener to enhance the flavor of sugar-free gums, but it unfortunately acts as a laxative.

The discovery was prompted after two patients reported suffering from stomach pain and chronic diarrhea. Both patients were losing tremendous amounts of weight. After narrowing down what could be responsible, doctors finally hit on the fact that both patients chewed an inordinate amount of gum containing Sorbitol.

The first patient consumed approximately 18 to 20 grams of Sorbitol a day, or the equivalent of nearly 20 pieces of gum. The second patient, a man in his 40’s, consumed 30 grams of Sorbitol daily thanks to numerous pieces of gum and sweets containing the additive.

Once the patients stopped chewing gum, their symptoms stopped. Their excessive weight loss ceased and normal weight gain occurred. Doctors are concerned that there may be many people who are unknowingly dealing with the same problem. Consumers are generally not aware of the fact that Sorbitol is actually a laxative.

One of the main side effects of regular Sorbitol consumption is chronic diarrhea. It is possible to lose 20% of your body weight in a short amount of time after continued use. Doctors are asking patients who have experienced sudden weight loss to consult with their own physicians to see if Sorbitol is present in their diets.

This sweetener can be found in many sugar-free gums, as well as cough syrup, ice cream, diet foods and popular diet drinks. Technically, it is a form of sugar alcohol that the body absorbs quite slowly. It is a popular additive with diet food manufacturers because it provides 60% of the sweetness of sugar without any added calories.

Sorbitol may be referred to on labels as a humectants, emulsifier or as a sweetener. It may be referred to as E420 on certain labels. Your doctor may also prescribe Sorbitol as a regular laxative, either in the form of a suppository or an oral suspension.

Some researchers are concerned that many people may begin abusing Sorbitol as a quick-fix weight loss drug. It should be noted that side effects could include a dangerous reduction in the amount of necessary nutrients, such as potassium. This type of imbalance can lead to heart attacks, strokes and other serious problems. Diabetics should also avoid the use of Sorbitol, as it may lead to complications.

Although consumers may believe that sugar-free automatically means that something is healthy, these latest cases prove that this just isn’t smart science. Doctors are being reminded to ask their patients if they chew gum, particularly if they report the symptoms mentioned above.

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