When you have diarrhea, your digestive tract is irritated and often painful. Liquids sweetened with glucose, particularly in combination with electrolytes, can be helpful during a bout of diarrhea. However, certain sweets -- especially those containing sugar alcohols as artificial sweeteners -- cause diarrhea in many people. Consult your doctor if diarrhea symptoms do not improve.
Sweets for Diarrhea
If you have severe diarrhea, your body will not be able to retain complex foods, those high in fiber. In this case, the simple sugar glucose provides your body with an easily digestible form of sugar to replace energy lost through diarrhea-related malabsorption. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that glucose solutions can be effective in combating diarrhea-related dehydration. Sweet liquids -- such as clear gelatin desserts before setting or pure sugar dissolved in warm water -- are effective glucose rehydration drinks during diarrhea.
Sorbitol
The artificial sweetener sorbitol has the potential to cause diarrhea when you are otherwise healthy. Sorbitol is commonly used in dietetic foods intended for patients with diabetes. A study reported in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" indicates that 50 percent of diabetic study subjects and 56 percent of non-diabetic study subjects experienced gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming sorbitol. Sugar-free or "lite" candies commonly contain sorbitol; check the product label.
Mannitol and Xylitol
Mannitol is an artificial sweetener used in sugar-free sweets and chewing gum. Like sorbitol, mannitol can cause diarrhea symptoms. Mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol are all sugar alcohols, containing fewer calories than sugar and commonly used in low-sugar or sugar-free candies. Mannitol and xylitol typically cause diarrhea when consumed in large quantities, according to the National Institute of Health's online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus.
Other Causes of Diarrhea
Many other dietary factors and illnesses can cause diarrhea. You should seek immediate medical attention for long-lasting, severe or bloody diarrhea. Viruses including cytomegalovirus, Norwalk virus and viral hepatitis can cause diarrhea, as can various parasites and bacteria from contaminated food or drink. Salmonella, E. coli, shigella and campylobacter are all bacterial causes of diarrhea. Additionally, diarrhea is commonly caused by antibiotics, intolerance to lactose or digestive disorders such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease.
