Sorbitol

Sorbitol is a member of a group of sugar-alcohol molecules which also includes mannitol, isomalt, maltitol (hydrogenated glucose syrup), lactitol, xylitol, erythritol and polydextrose.

UK Food regulations require these additives to be labelled with the warning ‘Excessive consumption may have a laxative effect’. The ‘laxative effect’ can include sudden diarrhoea, excruciating stomach cramps and/or extreme bloating and gas occurring sometimes hours after consumption of for instance, one stick of chewing gum or a few ‘sugar free’ sweets.

The mild warning, time delay before any unpleasant side effects, and relatively small intake that can trigger these unpleasant symptoms often makes it difficult to connect cause with effect.