Sorbitol is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a sweetening agent, moistening agent and a diluents.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol occurs naturally in the many stone fruits such as plums and ripe berries of many fruits, trees and plants. The body can make it from glucose. It was first isolated in 1872 from the berries of the European mountain ash.
The body only partly absorbs sorbitol. The unabsorbed part pulls water into the large intestine, causing distention that stimulates the muscle of the bowel and translates into the urge to have a bowel movement.
Sorbitol also acts as a fuel for bacteria that create lots of nasty gas.
Sorbitol is metabolized in the liver to fructose, but is also eliminated unchanged by the kidneys. Sorbitol has a caloric value of 4 kcal/g and is better tolerated by diabetics than sucrose: however, because some of it is metabolized to glucose it is no unconditionally safe for diabetics.
Sorbitol can be found in some laxatives that treat constipation and it’s often used as a sweeteners in ‘diet’ foods and sugar free chewing gum. Sorbitol can be found in toothpaste and other oral care products as the primary sweetener.
The role of oral care products is to prevent tooth decay. Sorbitol does not lower the pH of the mouth and cannot be utilized by the microorganisms that dominate in dental plaque, so it will not promote the growth of bacteria that can lead to tooth decay.
Sorbitol