How Does Sorbitol Cause Diarrhea—and Long Does It Last?

Diarrhea caused by sorbitol, which belongs to a group of sugar alcohols called polyols, can last as long as you consume the ingredient. Sorbitol usually passes through your system within one to three days.

This ingredient is typically found in sugar-free gum and candy. Polypols like sorbitol can cause abdominal cramps and osmotic diarrhea if you eat too much. This type of diarrhea happens if the bowel takes in too much water, leading to more frequent bowel movements.

You may be wondering how much sugar-free gum is too much gum to chew, especially since ingredients typically added to these types of gum may lead to diarrhea. Read on to learn how long it takes to get sorbitol out of your system.

What Is Sorbitol?

Most sugar-free gums contain sugar alcohols. These sweeteners are found naturally in some fruits or produced commercially as an artificial sweetener. Sugar alcohols are used in sugar-free foods and include sweeteners like xylitol, mannitol, and sorbitol.

Sorbitol is used as an additive in sugar-free gum and candy. This sweetener has several benefits, including:

• Doesn't raise blood sugar levels as quickly as sugar
• Has fewer calories than sugar
• Lowers the risk of tooth decay

Sugar-Free Gum and Diarrhea

Sorbitol is a common ingredient in sugar-free gum. Research has shown a link between sorbitol and digestive issues. Sorbitol can cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which may cause diarrhea.

A review published in 2019 noted that 20 grams (g) of sorbitol per day can cause diarrhea. The study authors pointed out that, for example, a stick of Trident gum typically contains around 1.25 g of sorbitol. There are usually 16 to 18 sticks per pack, equating to 20 g to 22.5 g of sorbitol. Chewing more than one pack of sugar-free gum a day may lead to diarrhea.

Side Effects

"Sorbitol can work as a laxative and cause bloating and diarrhea," Roshini Raj, MD, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, told Health. Research has shown that sorbitol can specifically cause osmotic diarrhea. This type of diarrhea occurs if the bowel takes in too much water.

Sorbitol affects everyone differently. "Some people are more sensitive to it than others," said Dr. Raj. "It's not harmful if you're not experiencing any issues."

The sweetener doesn't typically cause any long-term damage to the intestines. Sorbitol-related digestive issues are typically resolved when you stop consuming the ingredient.

It's not a big concern if you only swallow a stick of gum every once in a while: "It should pass around the same time as other foods, in one to three days," said Dr. Raj.

How To Treat Diarrhea Caused by Sorbitol

You might cut off sorbitol to see if it makes a difference if you experience unexplained bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or gas. Sorbitol can be found in sugarless products, including candy, gum, and soda.

People who are chronically bloated might avoid chewing gum altogether since it causes them to swallow extra air. "There can be a sort of double-whammy effect if you're chewing gum and it has sorbitol in it. People who already have these issues should not be chewing gum," said Dr. Raj.

If you find that avoiding sugar-free gum or other foods with sorbitol doesn't solve your digestive issues, it may be time to see a healthcare provider. They can help determine what treatment options might be available.

A Quick Review 

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that's typically found in sugar-free gum and candy. You may develop symptoms like abdominal cramps, bloating, and diarrhea if you consume too much sorbitol. Diarrhea caused by sorbitol can last as long as you consume the ingredient. It generally takes about one to three days for it to pass through your system.