John Myers
Sorbitol is found in many foods in both natural and synthetic forms. However, some people do not tolerate sugar and alcohol well. You can find out from us why this is the case and what you can do in this case.
What to do with sorbitol intolerance?
Sorbitol or sorbitol is a sugar alcohol naturally found in fruit. The sweet carbohydrate can also be found under the name E420 in many industrially produced foods, where it serves as a sugar substitute, preservative, and humectant. Light and diabetic products in particular often contain sorbitol. However, some people cannot utilize the substance in the small intestine and have problems with digestion if the sorbitol is first broken down by the intestinal bacteria in the large intestine. Symptoms of sorbitol intolerance can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness, nausea, and flatulence. Food intolerance often occurs together with fruit sugar intolerance (fructose intolerance), occasionally also in combination with histamine intolerance.
Foods to avoid if you have a sorbitol intolerance
In order to prevent the symptoms, foods containing sorbitol should be avoided. Tolerability varies from person to person. Some people can still tolerate some sorbitol, others almost none at all. As with many food intolerances, you should determine your personal threshold by first avoiding the sugar and alcohol completely and, if you are symptom-free, gradually including foods with sorbitol in your diet. These include, among other things
- Finished and light products with the ingredient E420 or sorbitol
- Diabetic products, especially sweets like chocolate
- Dried fruits
- Plums, pears, apples, apricots, grapes
- Beer and wine
- Mushrooms
- Artichokes
Incidentally, your toothpaste can also contain sorbitol. If the symptoms are severe, you should use another product if necessary. It is also better to avoid other sugar alcohols such as xylitol, isomalt, maltitol, and mannitol.
You can eat this if you have a sorbitol intolerance
The most important rule for those affected is: cook as often as possible yourself. Only then will you know what is in the dish on your plate. Fresh meat, fish, eggs, cereals, rice, potatoes, vegetables, oil, vinegar, and many types of fruit are easily tolerated. A table listing the sorbitol content will help you when selecting foods.
