Sorbitol

Why You Need It

• Gentle on Blood Sugar: Unlike regular sugar, Sorbitol is absorbed slowly, preventing rapid spikes in blood glucose.
• Dental Health: It does not feed the bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities, making it tooth-friendly.
• Natural Laxative Effect: In whole foods, it helps add bulk and moisture to stool, aiding digestion.
• Low Calorie: It provides about 2.6 calories per gram, roughly 30% less than table sugar.

Deep Dive

Sorbitol works differently in your body compared to glucose. Because it requires specific transporters to move through your intestinal wall, its absorption is delayed. This is why it is often recommended for people managing blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes. However, because it isn't fully absorbed, the bacteria in your large intestine ferment it, which produces gas and can draw water into the colon. This is a double-edged sword: in moderate amounts from fruit, it promotes regularity; in excessive amounts from processed 'sugar-free' foods, it can cause uncomfortable bloating and diarrhea.

Natural Food Sources

Nature provides Sorbitol in a package balanced with fiber and water, which helps mitigate side effects.

Supplementation & Usage

Usage: Sorbitol is rarely taken as a standalone supplement pill. Instead, it is used as a sweetener in 'sugar-free' dietary supplements (like chewable vitamins) or liquid medications.

Dosage: There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). As a sweetener, it is generally recognized as safe up to specific limits (often around 15-20g per day for adults) to avoid laxative effects.

Who should take it? It is useful for diabetics looking to sweeten foods without insulin spikes, or those looking to reduce caloric intake. However, for digestive health benefits, eating a pear is better than taking a supplement.