What Is Sorbitol?
Sorbitol is the most popular and safe replacement for sugar.
Sorbitol is one of many dietary supplements, sometimes called glucitol. On the packaging of a product containing this substance it is called "E420". From a chemical point of view, glucitol is a molecule of hexatomic alcohol. The formula for sorbitol is as follows: C6H14O6.
The product looks like a white, odourless powder that easily dissolves in liquids and tastes like sugar. Sorbitol - one of the most popular sweeteners
Due to its taste properties, the substance is used as a sweetener.
The product was named because of the Latin "name" of mountain ash. Sorbitol is found in high concentrations in red berries. It was later proven to be in small quantities in apples, cherries and apricots. Also, the substance is perfectly preserved in the dried fruits of the stone fruit. Sorbitol was first isolated from sorbus by the French chemist Jean Baptiste Boussingault in 1868.
In industry, glucitol is obtained from corn starch. It is almost 100% absorbed by the human body and is completely non-toxic, which puts sorbitol in food more than synthetic sugar substitutes. Available substance in powder or tablets.
According to the instructions of sorbitol, its pharmacological action is as follows:
It is slowly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract;
It does not affect blood glucose levels;
At doses greater than 30 g, it has a laxative effect;
One of the main advantages of a substance is its resistance to high temperatures. It can be added to cookies and cooked dishes.
Sorbitol Uses
Initially, the sweetener was used exclusively in the food industry, and sorbitol was found in other areas as well:
It is used in the semi-finished and meat preparation process, with sorbitol acting as a water retention agent. Retains moisture, prevents aging and drying of the product, thus extending its shelf life;
In cosmetics, the substance is added to creams, lotions, body lotions and even toothpaste. It is mainly used to moisturize the skin, which afterwards becomes soft and velvety.
This effect is due to the hygroscopicity of the substance, that is, its ability to absorb water vapor from the air;
In pharmacology, glucitol is used as an aroma: it is part of many tablets and syrups. In addition, the crystalline substance helps to achieve the desired consistency of the drug and acts as a thickener;
Pastry chefs love sorbitol, because apparently before sugar it gets "useful" to the body. Many sweet diet foods are prepared using it. Sorbitol successfully replaces sugar even in cooking.
Benefit and Side Effects of Sorbitol
Sorbitol has the following beneficial properties:
It has a mild laxative effect; They are also dried plums. It has been found to be an effective laxative without the slightest side effects, compared to pharmaceutical preparations.
Used as a "soft" choleretic; The substance cleanses the kidneys and liver and promotes the reproduction of beneficial bacteria and germs by healthy microflora in the gut;
The product induces gastric juice production and contributes to the normalization of the stomach;
Millet is also useful for excellent digestion. Millet breakfast porridge helps to normalize the digestive tract, clean the intestines of toxins and pollution, stimulate the production of enzymes and juices that contribute to the digestion of food.
Helps reduce intraocular pressure; It prevents the accumulation of excessive amounts of ketone bodies in liver cells after the breakdown of fat; Sorbitol creates a wonderful natural diuretic, which removes excess fluid from the body, thus removing bloating;
With edema kefir will also help. Its slight diuretic effect allows the manifestations of edema to be reduced and high blood pressure reduced.
For diabetics, this substance is really essential: it does not require insulin and is absorbed much faster than glucose.
The main advantage of sorbitol is the almost complete absence of contraindications. Women can use it even during pregnancy or in children without any harm to health, if you monitor the dose.
The side effects of this product are only with severe overdose.
If you consume more than 50 grams of sweetener daily, you may experience: spasms; heartburn; abdominal pain; flatulence; nausea.
In this case, it is recommended that you consult a specialist or urgently "rinse" your stomach with a large amount of fluid.
Sorbitol is not a cure for everyone, but it does cope well with the "sweet poison" function. It is sometimes useful in preventing the transition from sugar to sugar substitutes for several months. Especially if you think you started eating too sweet without enough power to stop.
Any substance can be harmed if used without following the rules. As for sorbitol, this is also true. The amount of sweetener consumed must not exceed 50 g per day. The possible contents of the same (or other sugar substitutes) in other foods should be kept in mind. An excess portion can cause an overdose.
Sorbitol can be called a good sugar supplement if you take it for purposes that are convenient and safe to use. Study the instructions, determine the dose, remember the importance of proportions and high calorie content - only then using sorbitol will not bring you unpleasant surprises and provide the expected effect.
