When diet and exercise is not enough, many turn to dietary supplements, like vitamins, to meet their body's nutrient needs. Others use supplements to make up for what their diet lacks or for what their bodies cannot produce. There are many reasons for taking a vitamin supplement, but with some of these supplements, it's not just vitamins inside. Some contain a compound called sorbitol.
What Sorbitol Is
Sorbitol occurs naturally in fruits like apples, pears, and prunes. Some food products contain synthetic sorbitol. Sorbitol contains approximately half the calories of normal sugar, 2.6 calories per gram; manufacturers use it in medications, mouthwash, diet foods and sugar-free chewing gum to provide a sweet taste without raising blood sugar or promoting tooth decay. Some manufacturers use sorbitol as a humectant.
Side Effects
If you've ever eaten too many prunes or too many "sugar-free" foods or candies, you may have experienced the laxative effect of sorbitol. Sorbitol works by drawing water into the intestine to stimulate a bowel movement. Consumption of more than 50 grams a day may produce gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea, bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain.
Safety in Vitamins
The FDA classifies sorbitol as "generally recognized as safe.". If you take several medications containing sorbitol or routinely consume foods and beverages containing sorbitol, the cumulative sorbitol intake from these products can produce the laxative effects of this sweetener. Decrease your consumption of sorbitol-containing products to reduce the side effects.
Vitamins From Foods
If you still find yourself concerned about the safety of the vitamin supplements you are taking, focus on your daily fruit and vegetable intake instead. Fruits and vegetables offer the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Aim for five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
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