Sorbitol has a laxative effect, what is the limit for use?

Kera vegetable candy products contain the sweetener sorbitol but it is not listed on the product label - Photo: THU HIEN

Previously, the National Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene announced the test results for Kera vegetable candy, this product contains the sweetener sorbitol with a content of 33.4g/100g.

However, this ingredient is not listed on the product label as required. So what is the sweetener sorbitol and what are its applications in life?

How is sorbitol sweetener used in Vietnam?

The Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) said that sorbitol is an organic compound of the sugar alcohol type with the chemical formula C6H14O6.

Sorbitol is a white, odorless liquid with a sweet taste and is completely soluble in water and alcohol. It belongs to the group of sweeteners and is allowed to be used in food. It also has the effect of creating shine and keeping food moist.

In nature, this substance is often extracted from fruits and vegetables such as: corn, pumpkin, apple, pear, wild strawberry, peach, prune...

In Vietnam, sorbitol is considered the most popular food additive today. This is a substance in the group of sweeteners, allowed to be used in food at permitted doses.

Because sorbitol has a sweetness similar to about 60% of cane sugar with a cool sweetness, it can be added to confectionery, food and chocolate to prevent food from drying and hardening by moisture with good stability.

On the other hand, it retains the aroma and does not evaporate.

A prominent feature of sorbitol is that it is sweet but slowly absorbed, so it does not increase insulin levels like sugar, will not cause tooth decay, is used in low-calorie candies and in many other foods and is also used to detoxify the liver, bleach meat and fish in processing...

In particular, sorbitol can be used as a laxative, a tonic or used as an excipient in the production of vitamin C-containing drugs and oral tablets.

This substance is certified safe for use by the elderly, although it is not recommended without a doctor's advice.

What happens if you consume too much sorbitol sweetener?

According to the Food Safety Department, besides its benefits, sorbitol also has side effects if consumed in excess. When consuming more than 10g/day, some people may experience diarrhea and abdominal pain, although the incidence is not high.

When consumed in excess, especially over 50g per day, sorbitol can cause laxative effects, digestive disorders, leading to diarrhea and intestinal imbalance.

It can be seen that, although widely used in food and pharmaceuticals, sorbitol is not completely harmless if consumed in excess.

Therefore, the FDA recommends that consumers carefully read the ingredients on product labels, control the amount of sorbitol consumed, and consult a medical professional if there are any unusual signs.

Doctor Ha Van Thieu - Children's Hospital 2 (HCMC) - said that the rate of constipation is increasing in the community and families, due to the habits of being lazy, drinking little water, eating little fiber... For adults, the pressure of life and psychological stress also lead to an increase in the rate of constipation.

Constipation causes many consequences such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, causing psychological or irritability affecting life.

Therefore, many people tend to look for functional foods that supplement fiber and prevent constipation.

According to Dr. Thieu, current treatment for constipation is dietary intervention (fiber, enough water), behavioral changes, and adjusting bowel habits to ensure normal bowel movements and optimal stool excretion.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chat-sorbitol-co-tac-dung-nhuan-trang-gioi-han-dung-bao-nhieu-20250405184935685.htm