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Sugar-free gum poses health hazardFiled Under: Dr Juergen Bauditz, gastroenterologist, sorbitol, sugar-free gums

• Too much chewing gum habit can cause harsh illness and weight loss, researchers has warned. Doctors in UK found that two patients who suffered diarrhea, malnutrition and weight loss chewed up to 20 sticks of gum a day containing sorbitol, an artificial sweetener and mild laxative used in many sugar-free gums. The man and a woman, whose cases are reported in the British Medical Journal, underwent several tests before doctors established how much gum they consumed.The woman chewed about 14 sticks of gum a day. She had lost 1 stone 10lbs when she was admitted after suffering from diarrhea and abdominal pains for eight months.
• The man was admitted to hospital after losing 3 stone 6lbs in a year. After medical tests failed to establish the cause of his weight loss it was discovered that he was eating around 20 sticks of gum a day and a bag of sugar-free sweets every day.
• Both recovered after they stopped eating foods containing sorbitol. Dr Juergen Bauditz, from the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, said: “Sugar-free or low sugar foods are increasingly eaten by people without diabetes because they are low in calories and are less likely to cause tooth decay. “As possible side effects are usually found only within the small print on foods containing sorbitol, consumers may be unaware of its laxative effects.”

• The gastroenterologist warned that while chewing gum has its positive effects, but like everything else, people should use it in moderation. “Gum is good for cleaning teeth and it protects teeth from acidity,”

• The after effects of sorbitol

**Sorbitol occurs naturally in a wide variety of fruits and berries including pears, cherries, dates, apricots, peaches and apples. **

**It is documented in medical literature, with studies going back to 20 years, that excessive consumption of sorbitol, can have a laxative effect in some individuals, drug firms say.

Sorbitol is also used as a sweetener in many sugar-free foods and drug products. **

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