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.
