Short-Chain Carbohydrates May Cause Chronic Bloating and Diarrhea

It was found out that certain short-chained carbohydrates can cause chronic diarrhea, abdominal bloating, gas or other gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals, diagnosed with:

• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional bowel disease (FBD)…

…or aggravate symptoms of:

• Lactose intolerance
• Fructose malabsorption
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Dumping syndrome (rapid gastric emptying)

These carbohydrates were named FODMAPs.

continue reading Low-FODMAP Diet – Foods to Avoid in IBS & Bloating

Amount of Fructose, Glucose, Sorbitol and Fructans in Foods

In the table below, foods that may cause diarrhea and bloating in person with fructose malabsorption (FM) , are listed.

Problematic foods in FM are those that: 

• are high in fructose
• are high in sorbitol
• have high fructose-to-glucose ratio (>1)
• are high in fructans or other FODMAPs (problematic only for some persons with FM)

continue reading Foods, High in Fructose, Sorbitol, Fructans and FODMAPs

What Is Fructose Malabsorption (FM)?

Human intestine can’t absorb unlimited amount of fructose, but most people can absorb 25-50 g of fructose per sitting (1). By definition, inability to absorb 25 g of fructose per sitting is considered as fructose malabsorption. Unabsorbed fructose may cause diarrhea and bloating.

Fructose malabsorption (FM) was previously known as ‘dietary fructose intolerance’ (DFI), but this term should be avoided to prevent confusion with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI).

continue reading Fructose Malabsorption – Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

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.

continue reading Sorbitol Blamed For Excessive Weight Loss

Sorbitol, a known laxative, is an essential ingredient in most of the sugar free chewing gums available in the markets. The small intestine does not absorb this laxatin easily and therefore intakes of such chewing gums have their own risks.

This caution has been put forward by the authors Juergen Bauditz, Kristina Norman, Henrik Biering, and Herbert Lochs in the “Lessons of the Week” in January 12 issue of the “British Medical Journal”.

Sorbitol’s this role of responsibility was discovered in a sudden occurrence by the doctors when two patients with chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and excessive weight loss were being investigated. Doctors could not diagnose and identify the exact reason for this condition during the initial phases of investigations.

Doctors then decided to conduct an analysis of their eating habits and finally they could nail it down with much chewing gum with sorbitol consumption.

continue reading Sugar Free Chewing Gums, Cough Syrups, Mints, Foods, Drinks, and Ice Creams May Cause Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain and Excessive Weight Loss