More people are trying to lead a he althy lifestyle and are interested in the composition of products and the safety of food supplements. One of the most common and harmless is sorbitol. What it is, know those who are looking for means to lose weight, and patients with diabetes. In addition, this substance is often used in the treatment of certain diseases. It is considered safe, has no side effects and is low in calories. Therefore, sorbitol is now added to many products.
What is this
This substance is a six-hydric alcohol. It is also known under the name "glucite" or as a food additive E420.
This is a white, odorless crystalline substance with a pleasant sweetish taste. It dissolves well in water, has a laxative and choleretic effect. When added to food products, sorbitol not only replaces sugar, but also extends their shelf life due to its hygroscopicity. In addition, it does not lose its properties during heat treatment and even when boiled. Sorbitol is half as sweet as sugar, but it has more calories. True, for himabsorption does not require insulin. This sweet substance is not a carbohydrate, but is easily converted into fructose in the blood. This explains its widespread use by diabetics. They specifically buy sorbitol instead of sugar. What it is is also known to lovers of diet baking, jams and sweets.
Where sorbitol is used
1. In the food industry, it is used as a sweetener, emulsifier and color stabilizer. In addition, it has moisture-retaining and complexing properties. It is added to marmalade, pastries, jams and drinks. Confectionery with this substance in the composition does not stale longer and retain freshness.
2. In cosmetology, sorbitol is added to creams, lotions, shampoos and toothpastes. It not only has preservative and water-retaining properties, but also resists germs.
3. In the pharmaceutical industry, sorbitol is a filler in gelatin capsules, added to vitamin preparations, cough syrups and ointments. It is part of ascorbic acid and many other well-known drugs.
5. This substance is also used in the chemical, leather and paper industries.
Medical use of sorbitol
This natural sweetener is made from starch. A lot of this substance is found in mountain ash, seaweed, pineapple and other plants. It is harmless and has many beneficial properties for humans.
Therefore, it is easy to buy sorbitol in pharmacies. Instructions for use recommends using it for such diseases:
- as a laxative for constipation and chronic colitis;
- as a choleretic agent for cholecystitis and biliary dyskinesia;
- for acute and chronic liver diseases. Often sorbitol is used together with rose hips to cleanse it. This tubage procedure is performed in a hospital and is very effective in improving liver function;
- with diabetes and hypoglycemia, sorbitol is very useful. It is converted into fructose in the body, but does not require insulin for this process;
- sorbitol solution is used for kidney failure and for washing the bladder;
- it was previously used in X-ray and other diagnostic studies, such as blind probing.
Is this substance useful
So many people now use sorbitol for various purposes. Reviews about him say that he perfectly replaces sugar, but is devoid of many of its shortcomings. For example, sorbitol is a mild laxative and cleanses the liver and intestines of toxins. It normalizes the activity of the stomach and stimulates the secretion of digestive juice, has a diuretic and choleretic effect.
In addition, when it is used in the body, B vitamins are less consumed, and the intestinal microflora is normalized. Some even try to use sorbitol for weight loss. Its price is low and you can buy it in any store in the diet food department. White crystalline powder diluted inwater or added to tea, compotes and pastries. But doctors do not recommend getting carried away with this drug, as it also has side effects.
Harm sorbitol
It is generally believed that this substance is absolutely harmless and can be used by anyone who does not have an individual intolerance. But with excessive use, unpleasant consequences are still possible:
- bloating, flatulence;
- diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting;
- dizziness and weakness;
- hyperglycemia is possible in patients with diabetes.
These symptoms usually resolve quickly after the drug is stopped. But it is not recommended to use sorbitol for patients with irritable bowel syndrome or fructose intolerance.
Those people who decide to give up sugar for better he alth should pay attention to sorbitol. Many already know what it is, but not everyone realizes that this sweetener and food supplement is also a medicine.
