Sorbitol and mannitol absorption in IBS and healthy people
What it found
In people, more of those with IBS completely absorbed mannitol than healthy subjects did, and gut symptoms rose after both sorbitol and mannitol only in the IBS group.
The authors say this suggests cutting these polyols from the diet may help.
What they found
Studies in people
Complete absorption
Similar proportions of people with IBS (40%) and healthy subjects (33%) completely absorbed sorbitol. More people with IBS absorbed mannitol completely (80% versus 43%).
Breath hydrogen after polyols
Breath hydrogen production was similar in both groups after lactulose but was reduced in people with IBS after both polyols. In healthy controls, mean hydrogen production was similar after sorbitol and mannitol, but in people with IBS it was greater after sorbitol than mannitol.
Gut symptoms
Overall gastrointestinal symptoms increased significantly after both polyols in people with IBS only, and these symptoms were independent of malabsorption of either polyol.
Other findings
Polyols in foods
Certain fruits and sugar-free gum contained sorbitol, while mannitol content was higher in certain vegetables.
What the authors conclude
“Polyols induced gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS independently of their absorptive patterns, suggesting that the dietary restriction of polyols may be efficacious.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that increased and discordant absorption of mannitol and sorbitol occurs in patients with IBS compared to healthy controls.
- They say polyols induced gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS independently of their absorptive patterns, suggesting that the dietary restriction of polyols may be efficacious.
How it was done
Poor absorption of sorbitol and the gut symptoms it causes are known, but mannitol has been poorly described. The authors wanted more data on how much of these polyols is in foods and how they are absorbed and cause symptoms in people with IBS compared with healthy people.
Food samples were tested for sorbitol and mannitol content. In a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 21 healthy people and 20 people with IBS were given 10 g of sorbitol, mannitol or glucose, and their absorption was measured by breath hydrogen and their gut symptoms by visual analogue scales.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial only tested single 10 g doses of sorbitol, mannitol or glucose, so it cannot show what happens with different amounts or over longer periods.
- It cannot show whether cutting polyols from the diet actually reduces symptoms in daily life.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Monash University, Australia
The paper
- Title
- Dietary sorbitol and mannitol: food content and distinct absorption patterns between healthy individuals and patients with irritable bowel syndrome
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Yao CK, Tan HL, van Langenberg DR, et al (2014). Dietary sorbitol and mannitol: food content and distinct absorption patterns between healthy individuals and patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics. doi:10.1111/jhn.12144PubMed 23909813DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error