sorbitol-Severe Weight Loss From Too Much Sugarless Gum

[Birdbomb]

Severe Weight Loss From Too Much Sugarless Gum

By DAN CHILDS
ABC News Medical Unit
Jan. 11, 2008

Share It was a baffling medical mystery. A 21-year-old woman showed up at her doctor's office after having suffered abdominal pains and severe diarrhea for eight months — and losing 25 pounds.

ABC News OnCall+ Diabetes CenterAnother patient, a 46-year-old man, arrived at the hospital with similar complaints. He had lost nearly 50 pounds.

In both cases, which occurred in Germany, the symptoms could have pointed to a severe food intolerance, serious bowel problems or worse. But after a battery of medical tests and a complete medical history, doctors in Berlin finally unlocked the secret behind the massive weight loss in these patients.

Sugarless gum. And lots of it.


Specifically, an ingredient in sugar-free gum called sorbitol — used instead of sugar to make the gum sweet — turned out to be the key culprit in both cases. In a report published Thursday in the British Medical Journal, the German doctors said the female patient had chewed up to 16 sticks of sugarless gum per day, while the male patient consumed about 20 sticks daily.

But in addition to being used as a sweetener, the ingredient has other uses in the medical arena.

[RobinN]

So now are we going to be seeing the Sugarless Gum Diet?
These artificial sweetners seem to be really nasty ingredients. Too bad there ins't an intelligence factor in taste buds.

[Bernard]

Natural sugar is way better than artificial sweetners IMO. Everything in moderation!

Also, Stevia is a good, natural alternative sweetner for teas and anything that doesn't have to be cooked.

[skillefer]

Agreed RobinN. But then again, it's our modern fast food culture we're talking about. I found that I felt better physically, when the only processed food I bought was wheat or whole grain bread.

[alivenwell]

I totally agree. There are some other nasty artificial ingredients that usually end in 'tol' like malitol, sortitol....
I avoid them completely. They're in a bunch of diet bars, 'sugar free' chocolate or candy, etc.
The only sweetener that still seems to be safe is just plan old sugar, also known as sucrose. Fructose is also safe as well since it's derived from fruits. I highly recommend the unprocessed sugar that can be purchased in individual packets (brown sugar, too).
Watch out for the 'sugar-free' brown sugar made from any artificial sweeteners. They're prevalent on the market because of the high incidence of diabetes today.
All we have to do to lose weight is cut our carbs, lay off white bread, lay off artificial sweeteners, cut down on sugar and caffeine. I did that for several months and lost a few inches around my waist and a few pounds. I always thought that those sugar free products would help me lose weight, but they do not work that way. I presume it's because they really do not convert into real energy. I also walk 2 miles daily to burn off any excess carbohydrates (they convert right into sugar!) and calories.
Trust me, this technique works.
And, I've seen several references to Agave nectar as a safe sweetener. It can be found in many health stores. I use that as well.