Artificial Sweeteners: Laxative Effects And Your Health

Artificial sweeteners are substances used instead of sugar to sweeten food and drinks. They are found in products such as drinks, desserts, chewing gum, and toothpaste. Some sweeteners, known as polyols, can have a laxative effect if consumed in large amounts. These include sorbitol, xylitol, and erythritol. If a food product contains more than 10% polyols, the label must state that excessive consumption may produce a laxative effect.

Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes that can be found in products such as drinks, desserts, chewing gum and toothpaste

Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes that can be found in products such as drinks, desserts, chewing gum, and toothpaste. While they are approved by regulatory agencies and can help reduce sugar intake and the risk of tooth decay, there are concerns about their long-term health effects.

Some artificial sweeteners have been linked to gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. Sugar alcohols like sorbitol, xylitol, and erythritol can have a laxative effect when consumed in large amounts. These are commonly found in sugar-free chewing gums, mints, and baked goods.

Xylitol, for example, has been highlighted in a recent study as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular events due to its effect on blood clotting. This is concerning as xylitol is widely used and considered a safe sugar substitute.

Another sweetener, aspartame, has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. It is also not suitable for people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare inherited condition, as it contains phenylalanine, which individuals with PKU cannot metabolize.

While artificial sweeteners can be a helpful tool for reducing sugar intake, it is important to be aware of their potential side effects and consume them in moderation. More research is needed to fully understand their long-term health impacts.

Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are a type of artificial sweetener

Sugar alcohols have about 1.5 to 3 calories per gram, compared to 4 calories per gram for regular sugar. They are commonly used in sugar-free products such as hard candies, cookies, chewing gums, soft drinks, and throat lozenges. They are also frequently used in toothpaste and mouthwash.

The most common side effect of consuming sugar alcohols in excessive amounts is the possibility of bloating and diarrhea. This is because sugar alcohols can have a "laxative effect", similar to fructose (natural fruit sugar) in fruit and fruit juice. Weight gain has also been observed when sugar alcohols are overconsumed. The American Diabetes Association claims that sugar alcohols are acceptable in moderate amounts but should not be eaten in excess.

Some common sugar alcohols include mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, isomalt, maltitol, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH).

Polyols can have a laxative effect if consumed in large amounts

Polyols, also known as sugar alcohols, can have a laxative effect if consumed in large amounts. They are commonly used as sweeteners and bulking agents, and occur naturally in foods like fruits and berries. They are popular among individuals with diabetes as they provide fewer calories than regular sugar (about half to one-third less) and are converted to glucose more slowly.

Sugar alcohols are frequently found in food products labelled "sugar-free", such as hard candies, cookies, chewing gums, soft drinks, and throat lozenges. They are also often used in toothpaste and mouthwash. Some common sugar alcohols include mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, isomalt, maltitol, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH).

The most common side effect of consuming large amounts of polyols is the possibility of bloating and diarrhea. This is because polyols can be difficult for the body to digest, and they tend to draw water into the gut, causing loose stools or diarrhea. This effect is more likely to occur if you are unaccustomed to consuming polyols.

It's important to note that not all polyols have the same effects, and some are better tolerated than others. For example, erythritol, a "next-generation" sweetener, is generally well-tolerated and does not usually cause gastrointestinal issues. On the other hand, mannitol and sorbitol are more likely to cause gastrointestinal disturbances, with mannitol lingering in the intestines for longer and sorbitol being more likely to cause diarrhea.

To avoid any negative side effects, it is recommended to consume polyols in moderation and be mindful of how your body reacts to them.

Polyols occur naturally in some fruits and vegetables

Polyols, also known as sugar alcohols, are small-chain carbohydrates that occur naturally in certain fruits and vegetables, such as apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, lychees, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, prunes, avocados, green bell peppers, stone fruits, watermelon, cauliflower, celery, snow peas, and sweet potatoes. They are also found in processed foods, often as a low-calorie sweetener.

Polyols are absorbed through the pores in the small intestinal epithelium, but this process is slow in all people and is influenced by factors such as the dose and type of polyol, gut transit time, and intestinal disorders. If consumed in large amounts, polyols can have a laxative effect, as they attract water as they move through the small intestine, leading to pain and motility problems like diarrhoea. This is why food products that contain more than 10% polyols must include a warning about potential laxative effects.

Polyols that are not absorbed in the small intestine are fermented by gut bacteria in the large intestine, producing gas and causing additional pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Some polyols, such as erythritol, are better tolerated because they are more efficiently absorbed in the small intestine, reducing the osmotic effect and the amount of fermentation in the large intestine.

While polyols can be beneficial for dental health, diabetes management, and constipation relief, they can also trigger gastrointestinal symptoms, especially in individuals with IBS.

Examples of polyols include sorbitol, xylitol and erythritol

Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are ingredients used as sweeteners and bulking agents. They are commonly used in processed foods, such as hard candies, cookies, chewing gums, soft drinks, and throat lozenges. Examples of polyols include sorbitol, xylitol, and erythritol.

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in fruits and vegetables and is manufactured from corn syrup. It has only 50% of the relative sweetness of sugar, meaning twice as much must be used to achieve the same level of sweetness. Sorbitol is a common ingredient in sugar-free gums and candies and has a lower tendency to cause diarrhea compared to other sugar alcohols.

Xylitol, also known as "wood sugar," occurs naturally in straw, corncobs, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and mushrooms. It has the same relative sweetness as sugar and is commonly found in chewing gums. Xylitol has been shown to be well tolerated by humans, with a single dosage of up to 30 grams not typically causing diarrhea.

Erythritol is a four-carbon sugar alcohol with functional and physicochemical properties similar to the sugar alcohol family. It has gained popularity as a sweetener in foods and is well tolerated by humans, even in larger quantities. Erythritol does not normally lead to any gastrointestinal changes and is better tolerated than other sugar alcohols like xylitol.

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