Is sorbitol harmful to the human body?

Produced by the hydrogenation of glucose; not bad, I guess

The harm should be minimal or none; it’s also present in toothpaste. 【Alternative names】Sorbitol, Sorbitose 【Foreign names】Sorbitol, D-Glucitol, Sorbol, D-Sorbitol 【Indications】Used for the treatment of cerebral edema and glaucoma. It can also be used for edema and oliguria with normal heart and kidney function. 　　【Dosage and Administration】 Intravenous injection: 250–500 ml of the 25% solution per dose; for children, the dose is 1–2 g per kilogram of body weight, to be administered over 20–30 minutes. To reduce cerebral edema, injections are repeated every 6 to 12 hours. 　　【Precautions】 Same as mannitol. 　　【Specifications】 Injection: 62.5 g (250 ml) per vial. Sorbitol Drug name: Sorbitol Sorbitol Sorbitolum D—Glucitol, Sorbol. 　　C6H14O6 is a white crystalline powder; it is odorless with a slightly sweet taste; it has slight hygroscopic properties. Soluble in water, soluble in ethanol. A 5.48% aqueous solution is an isotonic solution. 　　Indications: It is an isomer of mannitol; its effects are similar to those of mannitol but weaker. After intravenous injection of the solution (25%), most of it is excreted by the kidneys in its original form, with only a small portion being converted into sugar. By causing hyperosmia in the blood, it leads to dehydration of the surrounding tissues and brain parenchyma; the edema fluid is excreted in the urine along with the medication, thereby reducing intracranial pressure and eliminating edema. The peak effect occurred 2 hours after injection, significantly reducing cerebral edema, eliminating tension, and lowering cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Suitable for the treatment of cerebral edema and glaucoma. It can also be used for edema and oliguria with normal heart and kidney function. 　　Usage and dosage: Intravenous infusion: 250–500 ml of a 25% solution per administration; for children, the dose is 1–2 g/kg, to be administered over 20–30 minutes. To eliminate cerebral edema, injections are repeated every 6 to 12 hours. 　　Adverse reactions and precautions: (1) An overly fast injection rate can cause headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and pain. Be careful not to let the medication leak outside the blood vessels, to avoid phlebitis. (2) Hematuria may occur sometimes. (3) Use with caution in patients with cardiac insufficiency or weak constitutions. 　　Side effects of sorbitol Sorbitol is primarily metabolized in the liver, where it is converted into fructose by sorbitol dehydrogenase; subsequent metabolism follows the same pathway as that of fructose, though there are some differences. Specifically, less lactate is produced compared to when fructose is used in the same dose, while more 1-phosphoglycerate is generated. This may be due to the differences in NADH formed by concentration and deoxygenation. When sorbitol is administered, its concentration in the serum increases, and this elevated level persists for a longer period than with fructose. The excretion rate of sorbitol is 2%–25% of the amount administered; after administration at a dose of 1.5 g/(kg·h), it is generally less than 10%. Sorbitol is also contraindicated in patients who cannot tolerate fructose. Furthermore, sorbitol is also dangerous for people who lack fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. Reports have indicated that the use of sorbitol solutions in peritoneal dialysis for patients with chronic renal failure can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and hypertension; in a few patients, coma may occur. Diarrhea resulting from oral administration of sorbitol is related to the dose taken.

Sorbitol; D-sorbitol; D-Glucitol; D-Sorbol; D-Sobit; Hexahydric alcohol. Molecular formula: C6H14O6; Molecular weight: 182.17; CAS number: 50-70-4. Properties: Also known as cooling tea alcohol and rose alcohol. White crystalline powder. Melting point: 110–112°C (anhydrous form), 92–93°C (metastable form, monohydrate), 96–97.7°C (stable form, hemihydrate). Boiling point 295°C (466.627 Pa). Density is 1.489 g/cm3. Soluble in water and hot ethanol, soluble in methanol, isopropanol, butanol, cyclohexanol, phenol, acetone, acetic acid, and dimethylformamide, slightly soluble in cold ethanol. It has no odor, with a cool and sweet taste. It is hygroscopic. Widely distributed in the fruits of plants in nature. The pH value of a saturated aqueous solution is 6–7. When taken orally, it is rapidly absorbed in the human body and ultimately metabolized into CO2 and H2O. Its main uses include: (1) food additives (humectants, flavor preservers, antioxidants, widely used in pastries, bread, candies, and chewing gum). (2) Cosmetic ingredients (creams, shampoos, various lotions, lipsticks). (3) Humectants in cigarettes and toothpaste. (4) Chemical synthesis raw materials (raw materials used for vitamin C, adhesives, resins, gelling agents, etc.). (5) Pharmaceuticals (diuretics, choleretics, medicinal ointments). (6) General industrial raw materials. Due to its wide range of applications and non-toxicity, it is a very important industrial raw material. Method of preparation: (1) It is found in higher amounts in plant fruits in nature, especially those of the Seven-Degree Stove plant, and is also present in seaweeds; it can be extracted directly from them. (2) d-Glucose is hydrogenated using a nickel catalyst under high temperature and pressure, followed by purification with ion exchange resin. (3) Utilize polysaccharides such as starch, dextrin, and maltose for decomposition and reduction.

Sorbitol is produced by the hydrogenation of glucose mother liquor, and is mainly used as a raw material for VC and in the production of toothpaste. It has a sweet taste, and eating too much of it can cause diarrhea!

All chemical additives are toxic. When used within the maximum permitted levels, they generally do not have any significant toxic effects on the human body. However, just as fertilizers accumulate in the soil, long-term exposure or use is undoubtedly harmful rather than beneficial