Sorbitol
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Sorbitol.png
Structure formula
Sorbitol.png
Structure formula
Sorbitol, also known as glucitol, is a sugar alcohol the body metabolises slowly. It is an artificial sweetener often used in diet foods. It is called a nutritive sweetener because it has 2.6 calories in every gram verus sugar's 4, just like table sugar and starch. Sorbitol is poorly digested by the body. It is also used as a humectant in some cigarettes.
Sorbitol is also produced by the body. Too much sorbitol in cells can cause damage. Diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy may be related to too much sorbitol in the cells of the eyes and nerves.
Ingesting Sorbitol can lead to some abdominal pain and mild to severe diarrhea.
See also
External link
NIH (http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/dictionary/) Diabetes dictionary] — see entry on sorbitol