Sorbitol & Renal Dysfunction

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as an artificial sweetener in food products. While generally considered safe, sorbitol acts as a laxative and can aggravate kidney dysfunction in large doses.

Uses

• The food industry uses sorbitol as a sweeter in diet drinks, sugar-free chewing gum and diet foods. Sorbital also occurs in some cough syrups. Medically, sorbitol finds use as a non-stimulant laxative in both oral and suppository preparations. Sorbitol may also be used to irrigate the urinary bladder.

Warnings

• Sorbitol's laxative properties can worsen symptoms of kidney dysfunction, as the laxative encourages urination. The amount of sorbitol in foodstuffs is generally considered safe, although the British Medical Journal reports two cases where people experienced severe diarrhea and weight loss after using large amounts of chewing gum containing sorbitol.

Recommendations

• People with existing kidney problems should discuss medical uses for sorbitol with their physician. While sorbitol occurs only in small amounts in food products, people with renal dysfunction may wish to avoid or limit foods containing the artificial sweetener.