It is unlikely that anyone will give up sweets of their own free will. In pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, many people switch to sweeteners, of which there are quite a few on sale. One of these is sorbitol. By the way, the story of its appearance is completely unrelated to the pursuit of a slender body. It was invented amid a post-war sugar shortage. Sorbitol is a natural sweetener. It is slightly less sweet than sugar, but does not increase glucose levels and is low in calories. It is obtained as a result of corn processing. Despite the sweetness, the substance is not a carbohydrate.
| Calories per 100 g, (kcal): | 366 |
| Protein per 100 g, (g): | 0 |
| Fat per 100 g, (g): | 0 |
| Carbohydrates per 100 g, (g): | 91.6 |
| Glycemic index: | 9 |
What are the benefits of sorbitol?
The sweetener is completely absorbed by the digestive tract and helps reduce the consumption of B vitamins by the body.
Sorbitol has high nutritional value and can be used as a mild laxative. By using a substitute, you can improve intestinal function and normalize microflora. It is absorbed by the body by 98%. Does not promote the development of harmful microorganisms, therefore does not harm tooth enamel. Widely used to cleanse the gallbladder and liver. It can be included in a low-carb diet since sorbitol contains no carbohydrates.
Sorbitol is recommended to be included in the diet in the treatment of urolithiasis.
Properties of sorbitol
An alternative name for sorbitol in the chemical industry is glucite. The formula for sorbitol is as follows:
C6H14O6
The substance is most often used by manufacturers of ascorbic acid. Its role is also great in pharmacology, as well as in the cosmetic and food industries. Sorbitol acts as a thickener, texturizer and emulsifier. Thus, the additive demonstrates its ability to maintain the correct texture in lipsticks and foundations; in meat and semi-finished products, the compound performs the task of retaining moisture.
- The main active ingredient of sorbitol is sorbitol.
- The molar mass of sorbitol is 182.1 g per mole.
- Melting point – 95˚ C.
- Boiling point – 296˚ C.
In industry, sorbitol hexaacetate is used to isolate and identify sorbitol.
Molela sorbitol
Sorbitol is the main component for obtaining energy carriers from biomass. Thus, the ability of a substance to be completely reduced makes it possible to obtain alkanes that can be used as biofuels. Sorbitol contains enough hydrogen for the reaction:
19C6O6H14 → 13C6H14 + 36CO2 + 42H2O
Sorbitol is highly soluble in water and practically insoluble in cold alcohol.
Is sorbitol good for weight loss?
Despite the strong belief that sorbitol is a fat burner, this is absolutely not the case. Indeed, it is used in dietary nutrition due to its lower calorie content compared to sugar. On the other hand, the lower sweetness of the substance may force it to be added to products in larger quantities, and then there will be no benefit from using sorbitol.
It is permissible to replace sugar during weight loss in an amount of no more than 50 g per day.
And to feel the sweetness in tea, instead of 2 tablespoons of sugar, you will have to add about 5 tablespoons of sorbitol, for this reason its use in dietary nutrition is in doubt.
What is sorbitol
If we consider the chemical formula of sorbitol for weight loss, then it is a hexahydric alcohol (formula C6H14O6), which has a sweetish taste. Externally, it is a white, odorless crystalline powder. At the same time, the sweetness of sorbitol is almost two times lower than that of sugar. But some people hardly notice it. This type of sweetener is found in large quantities in rowan fruits and seaweed, but in mass production it is extracted from corn starch.
Compound
Sorbitol is a sweetener called glucite, which is registered as a flavoring additive E420. Many people consider “Eshki” to be hazardous to health, but in the case of sorbitol this is not the case. It is used not only as a sweetener, but also as an emulsifier, color stabilizer, moisture-retaining and dispersing agent. The European Society for Food Additives has recognized glucite as safe for consumption in a dosage not exceeding the norm - 20-40 grams per day.
Calorie content
Sorbitol for weight loss has gained popularity among nutritionists due to its low calorie content. The energy value of sugar, which is harmful to the figure, is 398 kcal per hundred grams of product, while the calorie content of sorbitol is only 4 kcal, or 17.5 kJ. If we take the permissible daily consumption of glucite (40 grams) and compare it with sugar, it turns out that a person losing weight saves about 80 kcal per day, taking into account sweets.
Benefits and harms
The benefits of sorbitol for weight loss are very great. Its effectiveness has been assessed in many other industries: not only food, but cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Let's look at where exactly you can find this sweet additive:
- In the food industry, glucite is used to make products for people with diagnosed diabetes and other diseases for which regular consumption of sugar is prohibited. The use of sorbitol is not always due to its sweetness. For example, a sweetener is added to products as a hygroscopic substance.
- In pharmacology, glucite serves as an auxiliary substance in the manufacture of drugs. Gelatin capsules, vitamins are made from it, and added to syrups, ointments, and creams.
- The qualities of the product are involved in cosmetology. This sweetener is found in toothpastes, lotions, creams and other cosmetics.
- The useful composition has become a real salvation for people who want to lose weight. Many diets involve giving up sugar, which is especially painful for those with a sweet tooth. Lollipops and sorbitol-based drinks are an opportunity to treat yourself to familiar goodies without harm.
Does this sweetener have negative qualities? When consumed 40-50 grams per day, it causes intestinal flatulence. If the dosage is increased, diarrhea, bloating and other disorders, such as dizziness and mild nausea, may occur. On the other hand, this minus of glucite sometimes becomes a plus. The sweet remedy helps many people get rid of constipation, acting as a laxative.
Contraindications
This sweetener should be taken with great caution by those who suffer from intestinal disorders, especially diarrhea. If you have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver or gall bladder, you should consult your doctor before using this sweetener. Also, products with it should not be eaten by people with hypersensitivity to glucite. Sometimes it can cause diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy.
How to take sorbitol for medicinal purposes
Sorbitol is widely used to remove toxins and cleanse the liver and the entire body. To do this, before eating (10 minutes), a small amount of the substance is dissolved in a glass of warm mineral water. The second glass with the same composition is consumed 20 minutes later. Then you should take a horizontal position and place a heating pad on the right hypochondrium for a couple of hours. The procedure is called blind probing.
Before the procedure, it is recommended to prepare the body. A week before the procedure, you should stop drinking alcohol and remove fatty and smoked foods. It is recommended to consume more foods containing fiber. During cleansing, it is unacceptable to consume protein; it is best to eat apples and drink juice from them all day. After cleansing, a feeling of lightness appears in the stomach, fatigue disappears. Under no circumstances should the body be cleansed with sorbitol if there is an ulcer, gallstones or sand. Such treatment is unacceptable for diabetes mellitus.
To cope with constipation as quickly as possible, you should immediately eat 40-50 g of the substance. This will stimulate quick and soft bowel movements.
On the basis of this substance and rose hips, a so-called tubage is carried out, aimed at eliminating stagnation of bile and increasing immune strength. To prepare the mixture, about 60 g of berries are poured into 500 ml of boiling water in a thermos and left overnight. In the morning, pour 200 ml of the drink and add 30 g of sorbitol to it and drink it on an empty stomach. After half an hour, drink the remaining rosehip tincture, without any sweetener. This cleaning is carried out after 2-3 days, the entire course consists of 6 sessions.
It is unacceptable to use this recipe in the presence of heart failure and during exacerbation of gastrointestinal pathologies.
Obtaining sorbitol
Traditionally, sorbitol is produced by reducing glucose using one of the following methods:
- reduction in a slightly alkaline environment with sodium amalgam;
- reduction in an aqueous-alcoholic solution with aluminum amalgam in the presence of a small amount of ammonia;
- restoration with calcium amalgam;
- reduction under pressure in the presence of catalysts;
- reduction by electrolysis.
When producing sorbitol by hydrogenation of glucose, a 40-50% glucose solution is used. It is first subjected to a thorough cleaning procedure to remove protein, coloring and fatty substances. The reaction is carried out at a hydrogen pressure ranging from 5 to 15 MPa and at a temperature from 130˚ to 150˚ C. Nickel catalysts are traditionally used for hydrogenation.
Reaction for producing sorbitol from glucose:
С6Н12О6 + H2 → С6Н14О6
What is the difference between sorbitol and xylitol
What these two sweeteners have in common is that they are natural. However, xylitol has more sweetness than sorbitol. Some scientists still recommend giving preference to xylitol, for the following reasons:
- the substitute stimulates the production of bile, just like sorbitol;
- cleanses the body;
- harmless to tooth enamel;
- reduces the amount of saturated fatty acids.
Both sweeteners have a mild laxative effect. They are used in the nutrition of diabetics and people with pancreatic diseases.
On the other hand, it is still very early to talk about the benefits of this or that substance, since scientific research and tests have not been carried out on the human body.
Areas of application of sorbitol
Food industry
Sorbitol is an additive that is widely used as a sweetener in food production. Thus, the substance is introduced into products as a humectant and stabilizer for bakery and confectionery products; the substance also has the ability to increase the shelf life of products.
Sorbitol is also often used in the tobacco industry - it replaces glycerin and in the production of cigarettes.
The moisture-collecting properties of the substance determined its popularity in the fishing industry.
Pharmaceutical industry
The production of ascorbic acid is not complete without the use of sorbitol. The substance is also widely used as an additive in many medications - it acts as a sweetener.
Sorbitol is capable of having a choleretic effect, which makes it popular in the production of drugs used to remove excess moisture from the body.
You can find sorbitol in many cough syrups and laxatives.
Cosmetics industry
In the cosmetics industry, sorbitol is used as a fragrance and moisturizer for the skin. It is able to completely replace glycerin in cosmetics, which has a positive effect on the condition of the skin: it becomes softer and velvety, and acquires an even color.
Sorbitol can often be found in moisturizing creams, masks, liquid powder, makeup base, shaving lotions, deodorants and gels.
The additive is used to produce toothpaste and mouthwash.
Chemical industry
Sorbitol is often used for biomass production. It is a common component of alkyl resins and polyurethane foams.
Textile industry
Sorbitol has the ability to soften fabrics and fix their color, so the compound in question is often used in the process of dyeing fabrics.
Sorbitol harm and contraindications
Sorbitol has a number of contraindications for use.
It should not be used if you have individual fructose intolerance or if you have stones in the gall bladder or ducts. The substitute should not be used in the diet if there are problems with the excretory systems or if irritable bowel syndrome is present. If you exceed the recommended daily dose, you may experience dizziness, skin rash, flatulence and tachycardia. You should not constantly use sorbitol in your diet for more than 4 months in a row. Sorbitol, when used for a long time and in a volume of more than 50 g per day, can cause pain, and in diabetics it can provoke diabetic retinopathy.
How to choose a good product and check its quality
This is a natural product, produced on an industrial scale from corn stalks. Can be purchased in the form of bars or powder , which resembles granulated sugar in appearance.
A high-quality product must be homogeneous in composition and not contain lumps . Sorbitol is hygroscopic; if stored improperly, it forms lumps that are difficult to crush.
Experts advise that when purchasing, you should also take into account the price - a quality product does not come cheap.
As a guide, you can take the products of the company NovaSweet , which is a leader in this production segment: a half-kilogram bag costs from this manufacturer from 139 to 250 rubles.
Sweeteners can be natural or synthetic. The former, together with sorbitol, include:
- fructose;
- xylitol;
- stevia.
Among the most well-known synthetic sweeteners:
- acesulfame;
- aspartame;
- saccharin;
- sodium cyclamate.
What place does sorbitol occupy among all these drugs? This is one of the best products for this purpose, because it has virtually no negative side effects.
Saccharin, used regularly in large quantities, provokes cancer. The same dangerous effect can be expected from aspartame if it is heated above 30 degrees.
Opinions about sodium cyclamate are not so categorical , but it also raises concerns that experts are trying to refute or confirm in the course of scientific research, which has not yet been completed. Acesulfame has a better reputation, but it can be dangerous for people with heart failure.
Comparing sorbitol with fructose, experts note: fructose is sweeter and has a more pleasant taste, but it provokes fat synthesis, leads to increased blood pressure, activates the cellular stress mechanism, and increases the volume of uric acid produced.
Xylitol and stevia have important benefits - these substances have no calories, so they can be used by people suffering from excess weight. The next advantage of stevia is its ability to suppress cravings for sweets.
This is a valuable quality, since it is not recommended to abuse sweeteners. For example, consuming more than 50 g of xylitol per day can cause cancer.
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Where can I buy sorbitol and how much does it cost?
The production of sweetener began in the 30s of the 20th century. Previously, the substance was supplied mainly in crystalline powder format; today you can find the substance on the shelves of pharmacies and stores as part of various sweeteners.
The price of sorbitol is determined by the volume of its sales and the manufacturer. So, you can find a sweetener that costs either 100 rubles per 300 grams or 200 rubles for the same weight.
You can buy sorbitol in a regular supermarket, in a special section for diabetics. You can also find a sweetener at the pharmacy, where healthy sorbitol sweets are also available to everyone.
Advantages and disadvantages of sorbitol
Sorbitol is absolutely safe and non-toxic, is completely absorbed by the body, and provides it with significant nutritional value. Among other advantages, sorbitol has the following positive qualities :
- when consumed by diabetics, it is better absorbed compared to glucose, since it does not require insulin during processing;
- has an anti-ketogenic effect, that is, it does not allow ketone bodies to accumulate in the body, the excess of which negatively affects the functioning of the central nervous system and other organs;
- increases the outflow of bile and promotes the secretion of gastric juice, thereby stimulating the functioning of the digestive organs;
- used for exacerbations of liver diseases or chronic forms of the disease due to the ability to reduce inflammation, pain and remove bitterness in the mouth, nausea;
- has a laxative effect;
- reduces the body's consumption of vitamins (B1, B6, B7) and helps improve intestinal microflora;
- has a diuretic effect and is used for uremia, pulmonary edema, increased intraocular pressure;
- promotes rapid and effective cleansing of the body;
- used in the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system - solutions based on it wash the bladder, and are also used after surgical interventions for liver pathologies.
The healing properties of sorbitol make it possible to carry out a procedure for cleansing the kidneys and liver, called tubage. As a result of such cleansing, blood circulation in the organ improves and bile synthesis increases.
However, sorbitol also has disadvantages :
- demineralization of teeth;
- if the dosage is exceeded, side effects may occur;
- has a metallic taste;
- less sweetness compared to sugar;
- the calorie content forces them to be taken into account when calculating the calorie content of food;
- Constant use and exceeding the recommended daily intake can lead to visual impairment;
- abuse of sorbitol threatens the occurrence of disturbances in the body functions responsible for cell division.
This video discusses the advantages and disadvantages of sorbitol:
