Sorbitol - benefits and harms, instructions for using a sweetener for diabetes, for weight loss and cleansing the liver

Sorbitol is a type of sugar substitute. In industry, the substance in question is known as hexahydric alcohol, obtained by hydrogenation of glucose. Sorbitol is most widespread in the food industry; in food products it is indicated under the index E420.

Sorbitol (sobritol) is considered a fairly popular food sweetener. Its calorie content is 40% less than regular sugar. The glycemic index of the substance is also lower - only 9 units compared to 100 units for glucose. Despite its rich sweet taste, sorbitol does not belong to the category of carbohydrates, so people with diabetes can eat it without risk to their health.

Sorbitol is a substance that benefits the gastrointestinal tract: it stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and bile, which improves the digestion process. This ability of a sweetener is used in the treatment of chronic and acute diseases of the liver and gall bladder. It is worth noting that the compound has a strong laxative effect, so it is often used to combat constipation. The daily volume of sorbitol consumed should not exceed 15-20 g.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The chemical formula of Sorbitol is C6H14O6.

Sorbitol - what is it?

As you know, Sorbitol is a substance also called glucite . It is a hexahydric alcohol with a sweetish taste and is registered as a food additive E420. The substance consists of small white crystals, quite hard, odorless, but has a pleasant taste and good solubility in water. At the same time, its sweetness is two times lower than that of regular sugar. In industry, sorbitol is obtained from corn starch.

An isotonic sorbitol solution is used when it is necessary to replenish the body with fluid. Its energy value is 4 kcal/g, which is the same as solutions of fructose and dextrose. The use of sorbitol does not increase glycemia and glucosuria . This solution is characterized by a choleretic and cholecystokinetic effect; taking higher dosages can inhibit the process of bile secretion and cause a laxative effect.

What is food sorbitol?

Food sorbitol is a natural sweetener, emulsifier, complexing agent, texturizer, and, as qualitative reactions show, a color stabilizer, moisture-retaining and dispersing agent.

This component is characterized by complete absorption and high nutritional value. It is believed that when consuming this substance, the body’s consumption of B vitamins – thiamine, pyridoxine a and biotin – . microflora , where these vitamins , was also noted . However, Sorbitol is not a carbohydrate, so it is recommended in the diet for people with diabetes . The properties of the substance are preserved during boiling and heat treatment.

Potassium Sorbitol – what is it?

Potassium sorbate or E-202 is the potassium salt of sorbic acid .
It is a natural preservative that is actively used for food preservation. This substance is used to preserve fruits, vegetables, eggs and confectionery products, meat and fish, fruit and berry juices, soft drinks, and so on.

The product's name

The food additive includes two products, designated in the European codification by the general index E 420.

The official name is sorbitol and sorbitol syrup (GOST R 53904-2010. Sweeteners for food products. Terms and definitions).

International option - Sorbitol and Sorbitol syrup.

Alternative names for sorbitol:

• D-glucite;
• D-glucohexane, chemical name;
• hexanhexol;
• hexanol;
• sorbol, English, German;
• D-Sorbit, Glucit, German;
• D-glucitol, French.

Sorbitol syrup may be designated:

• sorbitol (or sorbitol) syrup;
• glucitol syrup;
• sorbitol solution, English name;
• Sorbitsirup or Nicht kristallisierender Sorbitsirup, German;
• sirop de sorbitol, French.

Product packaging usually indicates the general trade name of the E 420 additive - sorbitol.

Indications for use

The use of Sorbitol in medical practice has been noted for:

• shock, hypoglycemia, diabetes mellitus;
• chronic cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia;
• chronic colitis accompanied by constipation.

In addition, this substance is actively used in everyday life, the food industry and cosmetology as a sugar substitute, preservative, hygroscopic agent, structure former, filler, and so on.

The benefits and harms of Sorbitol

As a rule, the benefits and harms of Sorbitol lie in its pronounced laxative effect, which can be increased or decreased depending on the substance taken.

A dose of 40-50 g can cause flatulence , and from 50 g - a strong laxative effect. Therefore, the substance is often used as a remedy for constipation.

However, taking high doses is accompanied by increased gas formation , stomach pain , diarrhea , irritable bowel syndrome and decreased fructose absorption. Excessive concentrations of the substance in the body can cause serious harm to the body, causing neuropathy or diabetic retinopathy.

Contraindications

Like any other drug, glucite has contraindications. Basic conditions and pathologies for which it is prohibited to take the powder:

• for obesity;
• children under two years of age;
• in the presence of regular edema, kidney disease, bladder disease;
• with hypersensitivity to the drug, hereditary fructose intolerance;
• should not be taken to treat constipation. Therapy with a sweet dietary product can cause severe diarrhea, bloating (flatulence);
• with the appearance of thirst, chills, dry mouth, vomiting. If such signs are not taken into account, back pain, tachycardia, chronic rhinitis, swelling, and urinary retention may develop.

Instructions for use of Sorbitol (Method and dosage)

To take the substance in powder form, first dissolve it in warm water. The prepared solution is taken 1-2 times daily 5-10 minutes before eating. The duration of therapy can be 1-2.5 months.

The injection solution is administered intravenously. In this case, the rate of administration should not exceed 40-60 drops per minute. Duration of treatment is up to 10 days.

Use for liver cleansing

Sorbitol is characterized by a choleretic effect, so it is used for tubage - a washing procedure that allows you to cleanse the liver, kidneys, gallbladder and bile ducts.

As a result of this procedure, the secretion of bile is activated, which naturally clears the bile ducts. In general, tubing does not involve getting rid of stones; moreover, if they are present, this procedure is contraindicated.

A variety of products are used for tubage, but usually Sorbitol and rose hips.

Cleansing the liver with rose hips and Sorbitol is performed using a specially prepared infusion of these components. Dried berries must be thoroughly crushed, then steamed with boiling water in a thermos. Leave overnight. In the morning, add Sorbitol to the resulting infusion and drink it on an empty stomach.

At the same time, it is necessary to adhere to dietary nutrition, adequate drinking regimen and moderate physical activity. The difference from blind probing here is precisely that you need to move.

Such a procedure should cause loosening of the stool, so it is better to stay at home throughout the day. If cleansing is carried out for the first time, it is usually repeated 6 times every 3rd day. This method is then performed weekly.

It must be remembered that with this procedure, potassium and calcium may be washed out of the body. For this reason, you should first consult a specialist, as well as if unwanted side effects occur, such as nausea, weakness, dizziness and convulsions.

How to do blind probing with Sorbitol at home?

Blind probing of the gallbladder is performed to maximally open the bile ducts and achieve contraction of the gallbladder in order to drain stagnant bile. It is assumed that as a result of this procedure, fine sand can also be removed from the liver and biliary tract.

This procedure is carried out in the morning. You need to drink a glass of any choleretic agent, for example, warm mineral water without gas with the addition of Sorbitol or magnesia. After 20 minutes you need to drink the same liquid again.

You should also prepare a special mixture of: egg yolks and powdered sugar, olive or other vegetable oil with citrus juice, a glass of water and honey. Drink any of these mixtures, and after 15 minutes, mineral water again. After this, you need to go to bed and place a heating pad in the right hypochondrium for 1-1.5 hours.

It should be noted that the blind probing procedure is carried out sporadically and does not depend on periods of exacerbation.

Analogs

Level 4 ATC code matches:
Romphalac

Transipeg

Normolakt

Medulak

Fortrans

Exportal

Fleet Phospho-Soda

Good luck

Lactulose

Duphalac

Normaze

Forlax

The main analogues are represented by the following substances: D-sorbitol, D-sorbitol, Sorbitol, Xylitol.

Package

Additive E 420 for industrial needs is packaged in the following containers:

• polypropylene or multilayer paper bags with an additional polyethylene liner (dry matter);
• plastic canisters or barrels of the Open Top type (euro drum);
• metal barrels made of stainless steel according to GOST R 52267-2004.

Dry sorbitol is supplied to retail in hermetically sealed plastic or foil bags, cardboard boxes, and waxed paper bags.

Sorbitol syrup is packaged in plastic or glass bottles.

May be sold in the form of solid bars, packaged similarly to chocolate.

Reviews of Sorbitol

This substance is actively used in various areas of life. However, it is especially often used to cleanse the liver. It should be noted that people often perform liver dubage with Sorbitol on their own, at home. Many of them consider this procedure the most necessary and carry it out several times a month.

As reviews show, liver cleansing with Sorbitol ends differently for all people and is not always good. If a person has liver disorders, then often tubing with Sorbitol and rose hips causes additional complications, for example, the movement of stones in the gall bladder, which can block the bile ducts.

As for people in good health, they usually adhere to the correct daily routine, diet and exercise, so they don’t even need liver replacement.

You can also find reviews online about Sorbitol for weight loss, which usually occurs due to the laxative effect of the substance. Taking this drug in high dosages often causes diarrhea. Of course, if the body remains in this state for some time, then weight will certainly begin to decrease, but due to dehydration of the body, which is very harmful for a person.

In addition, this remedy is attractive to people suffering from constipation. They are interested in how to take Sorbitol as a laxative to get a mild laxative effect. But, as you know, the problem of constipation should be solved in other ways. If this is not caused by a malnutrition, then perhaps the person has abnormalities in the functioning of the digestive system.

In any case, independent weight loss using medications, treatment of constipation and procedures that cleanse the body are allowed only under the supervision of specialists, preferably in a hospital setting. It is first necessary to undergo a full examination, which will identify existing violations and contraindications.

Sorbitol price, where to buy

The price of Sorbitol in solution varies between 50-80 rubles. You can buy the substance in powder at a pharmacy or store at a cost of 30 rubles.

• Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
• Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine
• Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan

ZdravCity

• Sweetener powder Sorbitol Vitateka 500g Sweet World LLC
  309 rub. order

Pharmacy Dialogue

• Food sorbitol (500g)Sweet world

  190 rub. order

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Pharmacy24

• Sorbitol 125 g PP "Golden-Pharm", Ukraine
  16 UAH. order
• Sorbitol 500g sweetener Barvysta, Ukraine

  58 UAH order

• Sorbitol 100g sweetener Barvysta, Ukraine

  14 UAH order

• Sorbitol 250g sweetener Barvista, Ukraine

  34 UAH order

PaniPharmacy

• Sorbitol 250g Ukraine, Zhitomirbioproduct

  49 UAH order

• Sorbitol 500g box Ukraine, Ajanta

  69 UAH order

• SORBITLE POWDER 250G Ukraine, Golden-Farm PE

  30 UAH order

• Sorbitol 500g Ukraine, Zhitomirbioproduct

  78 UAH order

• Sorbitol 250g box Ukraine, Ajanta

  38 UAH order

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Properties

Sorbitol

Sorbitol syrup