Wednesday 24/December/2025 – 06:01 AM
A new scientific study has shown that sorbitol, a sugar alcohol widely used in “low-calorie” and “sugar-free” products, may not be as safe as believed, as it can be transformed in the body into compounds that behave in a similar way to fructose, which may cause stress on the liver and metabolic disorders.
The effect of sweeteners on liver health
According to what was published on the Health and Me website, researchers found that sorbitol can be produced in the intestines from glucose after eating, even in healthy people, and not only in pathological conditions such as diabetes.
Then, if there are no intestinal bacteria capable of breaking it down, sorbitol travels to the liver where it is converted into a fructose derivative, triggering metabolic responses similar to those associated with fructose, which is known to have a negative effect on the liver.
The study also showed that some types of intestinal bacteria can break down sorbitol and turn it into harmless products. But in the absence of these bacteria, or when large amounts of sorbitol or glucose are consumed, this defense mechanism fails, allowing sorbitol to accumulate and reach the liver.
