Sorbitol, gut bacteria and blood sugar control in mice
What it found
In mice, four weeks of sorbitol changed gut bacteria and worsened the body's response to sugar taken by mouth.
A single dose raised insulin and lowered fasting blood sugar.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Single dose effects
A single large dose of sorbitol given by tube raised insulin levels in the blood. It also lowered fasting blood sugar in the mice.
Four-week sugar handling
After four weeks of daily sorbitol, mice handled sugar normally when it was injected into the belly. But they struggled to handle sugar when it was given by mouth.
Gut bacteria shifts
Four weeks of sorbitol significantly changed the mix of gut bacteria in the mice. Several types became less common, including Bifidobacterium. Other types, such as Helicobacter and Alistipes, became more common.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that long-term sorbitol intake may change the makeup of gut bacteria in mice.
- The authors suggest these bacterial changes could lead to problems handling sugar taken by mouth.
How it was done
Rising obesity and diabetes have led more people to use low-calorie sweeteners. Scientists know less about how natural sweeteners like sorbitol might affect health compared with artificial ones.
Researchers gave sorbitol directly into the stomachs of mice, testing both a single dose and daily doses over four weeks. They measured blood sugar control using two types of glucose tests. They also checked insulin levels and mapped changes in gut bacteria.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These results come from mice, so they cannot show what happens in people.
- The sweetener was given directly into the stomach by tube rather than eaten in food or drink.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- China Medical University, Taiwan; National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
The paper
- Title
- Long-term consumption of the sugar substitute sorbitol alters gut microbiome and induces glucose intolerance in mice
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Li CH, Wang CT, Lin YJ, et al (2022). Long-term consumption of the sugar substitute sorbitol alters gut microbiome and induces glucose intolerance in mice. Life sciences. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120770PubMed 35792179DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error