Sorbitol, or in another way it is called sorbitol, is a six-atom alcohol with a characteristic sweet taste. Most often this substance is used as a sweetener in many food products. But this is not the only property of sorbitol.
What is food sorbitol?
This substance is found in nature. It is found in fruits bearing pits - apricots, apples , plums and others, as well as berries, fruits of mountain ash and algae. The word sorbitol itself came from the French le sorb, which in translation means rowan. It was from this that the first food sorbitol was obtained.
Application of sorbitol
Food sorbitol has an index of food supplement E420. It looks like a yellow or white, easily soluble powder, odorless. Sorbitol can be presented as a concentrated aqueous solution or syrup.
Food sugar is used to replace sugar, it improves the structure of the product. It protects the products from the appearance on their surface of dry crust and from their rapid drying. With this substance, the weight of the finished product becomes larger. Sorbitol makes the consistency of the product more homogeneous.
As a sweetener it is often used in confectionery, soft drinks, kissels, chewing gums. As a water-retaining agent, food sorbitol is used in the manufacture of meat products, such as sausage stuffs and frozen semi-finished products.
Food sorbitol is also used in pharmaceuticals. For sweetening, it is added to cough syrups. Having a laxative effect, it is added to the drugs from constipation. Creams and ointments Sorbitol gives the necessary consistency. Nutritional sorbitol? thanks to the hygroscopic property? are used in the production of shampoos, shower gels, masks, creams, toothpastes, lotions, deodorants and other cosmetic products.
Harm and benefit of sorbitol
In addition to cosmetology and the food industry sorbitol is actively used in medicine. It is used to treat many diseases, such as chronic cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia , hypovolemia, chronic colitis and frequent constipation.
For the treatment of the genitourinary system, a sorbitol solution of 3% is used. They wash the bladder. Such a solution will not cause hemolysis. In renal failure, especially in the postoperative period, a 40% solution is used. Sorbitol helps to improve intestinal motility. With diabetes, sorbitol is used to sweeten foods instead of sugar.
The harm of sorbitol lies in the large number of side effects when using this substance as a medicine. It can cause swelling, weakness, nausea, vomiting, thirst, dry mouth, chills. Can lead to pain in the back, rhinitis, tachycardia and urinary retention. With prolonged use, a lax effect is observed. It can manifest as flatulence, diarrhea
Sorbitol for weight loss
Sorbitol is an excellent sweetener. But it does not make special means for losing weight. He can clear the liver of toxins, toxins and excess fluid, which will lead to weight loss. Caloric content of sorbitol is quite high and amounts to 354.4.kcal per 100 g of product. Therefore, it should not be used for weight loss purposes. This substance can be prescribed to people who are obese or have diabetes, but only the appropriate doctor should do this.
Sorbitol, when used in dietary nutrition, is not the cause of weight loss. Being a fairly high-calorie product, it is used to treat some serious diseases, and not for weight loss.