Sorbitol malabsorption and belly discomfort in hospital patients
What it found
Nearly half of the tested patients could not fully absorb sorbitol, and dietary advice reduced their belly discomfort.
This was measured in people with unexplained stomach problems.
What they found
Studies in people
How common it is
Out of 252 patients who took the sorbitol breath test, 122 (48%) could not fully absorb it.
Who was tested
Five hundred and ten patients with unexplained belly discomfort were referred for breath testing. About two thirds were female and one third male, with an average age of 45 years.
Dietary advice helped symptoms
Among the 122 patients who could not absorb sorbitol, 66 (54%) reported fewer belly problems after dietary advice. Their daily lives were also less affected by these symptoms.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that poor absorption of sorbitol is frequently found in people with unexplained belly discomfort.
- They advise that changing the diet helps reduce stomach symptoms in these patients.
How it was done
Scientists do not yet know exactly how poorly absorbed sorbitol relates to unexplained belly discomfort. The authors wanted to see if finding and managing this issue helps patients feel better.
The authors looked back at records from a hospital between May 2013 and December 2014. They studied patients with unexplained belly discomfort who were sent for breath testing. Those who could not absorb sorbitol filled out symptom questionnaires before and after getting dietary advice.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This work looked back at past medical records rather than randomly assigning treatments.
- It cannot prove that dietary advice alone caused the improvement in symptoms.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Technical University of Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Germany -
The paper
- Title
- Sorbitol malabsorption in patients with abdominal discomfort
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Klee B, Barske O, Mack A, et al (2018). Sorbitol malabsorption in patients with abdominal discomfort. Minerva gastroenterologica e dietologica. doi:10.23736/S1121-421X.17.02329-7PubMed 28994566DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error