Sorbitol

Studies in people

• Concern

  Belly discomfort¹

  In people with belly discomfort, sorbitol malabsorption was common, and diet changes improved their symptoms.

• Concern

  Gut symptoms in eating disorders²

  In people with eating disorders, sorbitol with fructose caused stomach and gut symptoms, especially in those with low body weight.

• Open question

  Mouth feel after chewing³

  In people, sorbitol in chewing gum made teeth feel smoother and mouths feel moister for up to an hour.

• Concern

  Gut symptoms in IBS⁴

  In people with IBS, sorbitol and mannitol increased gut symptoms, but this was not linked to how much was absorbed.

Animal and lab studies only

• Concern

  Blood sugar and gut germs⁹

  In animal studies, long-term sorbitol changed gut germs and made blood sugar harder to control.

Study type not stated

• Concern

  Gut symptoms and bloating⁵

  Sorbitol is not fully absorbed, which may cause belly pain and diarrhea, but scientists do not yet know for sure.

• Open question

  Tooth decay⁶

  Scientists do not yet know whether sorbitol helps prevent tooth decay less than xylitol does.

How it’s made and used

• What it is used for⁷

  Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol made from lactose and used in food and other products.

• Sugar alcohol myth⁸

  Sorbitol is barely present in ripe blackberries, raspberries and similar fruits, despite what many people believe.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.