PureBulk

Supplement Facts Volumetrics Certificate of Analysis

What is Sorbitol?

Sorbitol is a polyol (sugar alcohol) that is used as an artificial sweetener. It's about 60% as sweet as table sugar but with one-third fewer calories (only 2.6 calories per gram as compared to 4 calories per gram for sugar).

It does not cause tooth decay and may be useful to people with diabetes. Since sorbitol is absorbed slowly by the body, it does not significantly raise insulin levels the same way common sugars such as sucrose, glucose or fructose do.

Sorbitol is also a naturally occurring sugar found in some stone fruits and berries from trees of the genus Sorbus. It was first discovered by a French chemist in the berries of the mountain ash tree in 1872.

Today it is commercially made by adding hydrogen to glucose and is available in both liquid and crystalline form. It is found in numerous food products and is frequently used as a "sugar-free" sweetener in candies and mints and sometimes used in diet foods such as diet soft drinks, low-calorie ice cream and sugar-free chewing gum.

Sorbitol (also known as glucitol) is also an outstanding humectant and texturizing agent. It has a smooth feel to the mouth and leaves a sweet, cool and pleasant taste. Sorbitol has a negative heat of solution, meaning that it absorbs heat and becomes cold as it dissolves in water. It is often used as a sweetener in breath freshening candies, providing a pleasingly cool sensation when dissolved in the mouth.

Sorbitol absorption in the body is slow, allowing part of the ingested sorbitol to reach the large intestine where metabolism yields fewer calories. Therefore, unlike sugar which contributes four calories per gram, the caloric contribution of sorbitol is about 2.6 calories per gram. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated it does not object to the use of this value.

For a product to qualify as “reduced calorie” in the United States, it must have at least a 25 percent reduction in calories; to qualify as “light” it must have a one-third reduction. Sorbitol is, therefore, beneficial in formulating “reduced calorie” and “light” products. The lower caloric value of sorbitol and other polyols is recognized in other countries as well. For example, the European Union has provided a Nutritional Labeling Directive stating that all polyols, including sorbitol, have a caloric value of 2.4 calories per gram.

Benefits of Sorbitol

Sorbitol is largely used as a humectant in many types of products to maintain moisture content. The moisture-stabilizing and textural properties of sorbitol are used in the production of confectionery, baked goods and chocolate where products tend to become dry or harden. Its moisture-stabilizing action protects these products from drying and maintains their initial freshness during storage.

Sorbitol is very stable and chemically unreactive. It can withstand high temperatures and does not participate in Maillard (browning) reactions. This is an advantage, for example, in the production of cookies where a fresh color with no appearance of browning is desired. Sorbitol also combines well with other food ingredients such as sugars, gelling agents, proteins and vegetable fats. It functions well in many food products such as chewing gums, candies, frozen desserts, cookies, cakes, icings and fillings as well as oral care products, including toothpaste and mouthwash.

Polyols, including sorbitol, are resistant to metabolism by oral bacteria which break down sugars and starches to release acids that may lead to cavities or erode tooth enamel. They are, therefore, non-cariogenic. The usefulness of polyols, including sorbitol, as alternatives to sugars and as part of a comprehensive program including proper dental hygiene has been recognized by the American Dental Association. The FDA has approved the use of a "does not promote tooth decay" health claim in labeling for sugar-free foods that contain sorbitol or other polyols.

Control of blood glucose, lipids and weight are the three major goals of diabetes management today. Since sorbitol is slowly absorbed, the rise in blood glucose and the insulin response associated with the ingestion of glucose is significantly reduced. The reduced caloric value (2.6 calories per gram versus 4.0 for sugar) of sorbitol is consistent with the objective of weight control.

Purity and Concentration of Sorbitol

This food grade sorbitol crystalline sugar is manufactured in compliance with the FCC-IV (USA Food Chemicals Codex IV) standard. It contains no fillers, taste additives or anti-caking agents

Suggested Use of Sorbitol

As a dietary supplement sweetener, use sorbitol as desired, typically 1 teaspoon per serving (3700 milligrams, 3.7 grams). Consumption of more than 10 grams per day may have a mild laxative effect. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for sorbitol here.

Potential Side Effects of Sorbitol

Sorbitol has been safely used in processed foods as well as in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics for almost half a century, and it has been affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is approved for use by the European Union and numerous countries around the world, including Australia, Canada and Japan.

Sorbitol is safe at suggested serving sizes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of sorbitol requires the following label statement when more than 50 grams may be consumed: “Excess consumption may have a laxative effect.” In servings greater than 10 grams per day it can already act as a mild laxative and for some individuals doses larger than 20 grams per day it can cause gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea.

References & Further Research

Sweet Choices: Sugar Replacements for Foods and Beverages

The use of sorbitol- and xylitol-sweetened chewing gum in caries control

University of Maryland Medical Center: Sweeteners

NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates herbal and other dietary supplements differently than conventional medicines. The standards for supplements are found in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a federal law that defines dietary supplements and sets product-label­ing standards and health claim limits. To learn more about DSHEA, visit the FDA Web site.