15% off €35 OR 20% off €45

Code:SAVE
 

15% off €35 OR 20% off €45

Code:SAVE

OffersSave up to 1/2 priceBuy One Get One 1/2 Price3 for 2 Mix & MatchOnline OnlyOutlet2 for €23 Mix & MatchBuy 1 Get 1 FreeIntroductory Offer2 for €6 Mix & MatchVitamins & SupplementsVitamins & Supplements Shop AllCBDCollagen & SilicaHair, Skin & NailsShop all Hair, Skin & NailsHair GrowthFunctional MushroomsVitaminsShop all VitaminsMultivitaminsVitamin AVitamin BVitamin CVitamin DVitamin EVitamin KVitamin DrinksMineralsShop all MineralsMagnesiumIronZincCalciumSeleniumChromiumSupplementsShop all SupplementsFibre SupplementsAcidophilus & Friendly BacteriaPeppermint OilGrapeseed ExtractLecithinCollagen & SilicaOmega & Fish OilsPlant Sourced SupplementsSuperfood SupplementsArnicaApple CiderRaspberry KetonesAloe VeraChondroitin & MSMCo Enzyme Q10Evening Primrose OilGarlicGlucosamineGlucomannanSeaweed, Kelps and AquaceuticalsDigestive EnzymesCharcoalWomen's HealthShop all Women's HealthMenopauseMenstrual SupportUrinary Tract HealthPregnancy & ConceptionMen's HealthShop all Men's HealthProstate HealthChildren's HealthConditionShop all ConditionCholesterolAllergy & Hay Fever CareAnxiety SupportBone & Muscle HealthMuscle Support & Joint PainBrain & Memory SupportWomen's HealthMen's HealthChildren's HealthCold & Immune SupportFatigueDigestive HealthHair, Skin & NailsHeart & CirculationLiver CareMood SupportSexual HealthSleep & RelaxationStress ReliefVisionHerbal & Licensed RemediesShop all Herbal & Licensed RemediesRescue RemedyAshwagandhaMilk ThistleGinseng & GuaranaHomeopathic & Flower RemediesShop all Homeopathic & Flower RemediesRescue RemedyFlower RemediesVegan Vitamins & SupplementsHolland & BarrettVitabioticsSolgarNew NordicBioglanNatures AidBetterYouNovominsWild NutritionNeubria3 for 2 Mix & MatchBuy One Get One 1/2 PriceSave up to 1/2 priceOnline OnlyOutletBuy 1 Get 1 FreeIntroductory OfferDairy FreeGluten FreeSesame Seed FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeFish FreeKiwi FreeLupin FreeNew inFood & DrinkFood & Drink Shop AllEasterVegan FoodDried Fruit, Nuts & SeedsShop all Dried Fruit, Nuts & SeedsDried FruitNutsSeedsMixesChocolate CoatedTeas, Coffee & Hot BeveragesShop all Teas, Coffee & Hot BeveragesCoffee & Coffee SubstituteMushroom DrinksTeasMatcha & Green TeaSleep & Relaxation TeaSlimming TeaWomen's Health TeasDrinks & JuicesShop all Drinks & JuicesMultipack DrinksProtein ShakesJuices & Health ShotsNatural Energy DrinksKombuchaSoft DrinksWaterAlcohol Free DrinksKefirSuperfoodsShop all SuperfoodsSuperfood PowdersMoringa PowderSpirulinaGoji BerriesBaobabChia SeedsHealthier SnackingShop all Healthier SnackingProtein BarsLow Calorie SnacksChocolate, Cakes & BiscuitsSavoury SnacksSweet SnacksSnack BarsCrisps & ChipsFlapjacksPopcornFood CupboardShop all Food CupboardCondiments & SaucesApple Cider VinegarSuperfoodsBreakfast CerealsHoney, Jams & SpreadsTinned FoodsRice, Pasta, Pulses & GrainsHoney, Jams & SpreadsShop all Honey, Jams & SpreadsManuka HoneyHoneyNut ButtersJams & ChutneysSpreadsPateBreakfast CerealsShop all Breakfast CerealsCereals, Bran & FlakesGranolaMuesliOats & PorridgeBreakfast BarsCookingShop all CookingCooking IngredientsApple Cider VinegarCondiments & SaucesSoya & Meat AlternativeSoup & Ready MealsRice, Pasta, Pulses & GrainsHerbs, Spices & SeasoningGravy & StockHome BakingShop all Home BakingBaking MixesBreadFlourSweeteners & Sugar AlternativesEgg SubstitutesDairy AlternativesShop all Dairy AlternativesOat, Rice & Hemp DrinksSoya DrinksNut DrinksCoconut DrinksNutritionally Complete FoodHolland & BarrettNaturyaGrenadePukkaNakdHeath & HeatherPerfectTedTwiningsNOMOTREKSave up to 1/2 priceBuy One Get One 1/2 Price3 for 2 Mix & MatchOnline Only2 for €6 Mix & MatchBuy 1 Get 1 FreeOutletShort DatedGluten FreeDairy FreeWheat FreeSugar FreeEgg FreeMilk FreeSoya FreeNut FreeSesame Seed FreeCelery FreeNew inSports NutritionSports Nutrition Shop AllProteinShop all ProteinClear ProteinProtein VeganMeal ReplacementsWhey ProteinMass GainersDiet ProteinCaseinSports SupplementsShop all Sports SupplementsSports CollagenBars, Drinks & SnacksShop all Bars, Drinks & SnacksEnergy BarsProtein BarsProtein ShakesProtein SnacksNutritionally Complete FoodMeal Replacement ShakesPre Workout & EnergyShop all Pre Workout & EnergyPre WorkoutAmino Energy PowdersIntra WorkoutKetoPost WorkoutAmino AcidsShop all Amino AcidsBCAAArginineCreatineShop all CreatineCreatine PowderRehydrationShop all RehydrationElectrolytesEnergy GelsVegan Sports NutritionShop all Vegan Sports NutritionVegan ProteinVegan Protein BarsVegan Pre Workout & EnergyVegan Amino AcidsVegan CreatineSports AccessoriesShop all Sports AccessoriesBottles & ShakersFitness GoalShop all Fitness GoalRecoveryMuscle & StrengthLean MuscleEnergy & EnduranceDiet & Weight LossKetoPrecision EngineeredOptimum NutritionApplied NutritionMyproteinGrenadeUSNPhDTriActiveSiSPulsinSave up to 1/2 priceBuy One Get One 1/2 PriceIntroductory OfferOnline Only3 for 2 Mix & Match2 for €35 Mix & Match2 for €45 Mix & MatchOutletDairy FreeGluten FreeSugar FreeSoya FreePalm Oil FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeFish FreeNew inBeautyNatural Beauty Shop AllAromatherapy & HomeShop all Aromatherapy & HomePure Essential OilsBlended Essential OilsBase & Carrier OilsHolisticSkincareShop all SkincarePremium SkincareFace CareBody CareSun CareTanning & BronzingEye CareLip CareFoot CareHand & Nail CareCBD BeautyHair Skin & NailsShop all Hair Skin & NailsNail ConditionsSkin ConditionsCollagenWashing & BathingShop all Washing & BathingShampoo & ConditionerBathing AccessoriesShower Gel & Body WashDeodorantDentalHand WashSoapBath Soak & OilBody ScrubBath Bombs & SaltsFeminine CareIncontinence SupportHair CareShop all Hair CareShampoo & ConditionerHair ColouringHair MasksHair Oil & SerumHair Spray, Gel & MousseHair AccessoriesMother & BabyShop all Mother & BabyBaby Skincare & ToiletriesMakeupDr OrganicFaith in NatureWeledaNaturtintTisserandMiaromaQ+ATrilogyChilds FarmSea MagikSave up to 1/2 priceBuy One Get One 1/2 Price2 for €23 Mix & MatchOnline OnlyOutlet3 for 2 Mix & MatchAlcohol FreeFluoride freePalm Oil FreeParfum FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeDairy FreeEgg FreeFish FreeNew inWeight ManagementWeight Management Shop AllSlimming TabletsFat Burners, Binders & Appetite SuppressantsShop all Fat Burners, Binders & Appetite SuppressantsFat BurnersFat BindersAppetite SuppressantsShakes & Weight Management ShotsShop all Shakes & Weight Management ShotsMeal Replacement ShakesDiet Food & DrinkShop all Diet Food & DrinkDiet FoodLow Calorie SnacksSlimming TeaExercise SupportGrenadeOptimum NutritionHolland & BarrettPulsinPhDEat WaterUSNNatures AidNew NordicApplied NutritionSave up to 1/2 price3 for 2 Mix & MatchOnline OnlyBuy One Get One 1/2 Price2 for €35 Mix & MatchOutletSugar FreeGluten FreeDairy FreeWheat FreeNew inHealth & WellnessShop all Health & WellnessJoints Bones & MusclesEnergyGut HealthShop all Gut HealthGut Health FoodHair Skin & NailsShop all Hair Skin & NailsNail ConditionsSkin ConditionsCollagenStress AnxietyShop all Stress AnxietyEnergy SupportSleep & RelaxationShop all Sleep & RelaxationRelaxationFood & DietShop all Food & DietKeto FoodMenopauseHolland & BarrettNaturtintVitabioticsDr OrganicSolgarBetterYouWildApplied NutritionOptimum NutritionWeleda3 for 2 Mix & MatchSave up to 1/2 priceBuy One Get One 1/2 PriceOnline Only2 for €23 Mix & MatchOutletBuy 1 Get 1 Free2 for €6 Mix & MatchGluten FreeDairy FreeSugar FreeAlcohol FreeWheat FreeSesame Seed FreeSoya FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeNew inNew InBest SellersTrendingShop for your WellnessGut HealthImmunityEnergyWomen's HealthMenopauseSkincareJoints, Bones & MusclesHair, Skin & NailsSleep & RelaxationFood & DietChildren's HealthStress ReliefHealthy HeartLow Mood & DepressionEye HealthSexual HealthLearn about WellnessJoints, Bones & MusclesEnergyWomen's HealthPeriod & Cycle HealthMenopauseImmunityGut HealthFood & DietSports & FitnessSleep & RelaxationHair Skin & NailsArticlesAll articlesHealthFood & nutritionGut healthImmunityJoints, bones & musclesWomen's healthWellnessHair & skinMental wellbeingSeasonalSleep & relaxationSports nutritionRecipesAll recipesGluten freeLow sugarVeganDairy freePodcast
Skip to content

What is sorbitol?

sorbitol on teacup and plate
Sorbitol is around 60% as sweet as sugar and about half as calorific. It's thought to be a better choice for oral health but what is sorbitol and what are its benefits?

From a couple of teaspoons in your morning brew to a tasty bag of sweets shared at the cinema, there’s no doubt that we love sugar here in the United Kingdom. In fact, it’s thought that adults consume over double the recommended daily sugar amount, with children and teens munching on even more of the sweet stuff.1

Most of us know that too much sugar can have health implications. It can lead to excess weight, which has a range of associated health concerns and tooth decay.2

With this in mind, it’s no surprise that many of us are looking for ways to reduce our sugar intake. Sweeteners are thought to be a safer alternative, providing all the taste with fewer side effects.3 However, there’s a lot of mixed information out there about sweeteners and their benefits. This article focuses on sorbitol, one of the approved sweeteners for use here in the UK.4

What is sorbitol?

Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol (or poliol) found naturally in many different fruits (like apples, berries, peaches, and plums). It can be produced from corn syrup and is typically used as a sweetener in food products, drinks, and medication.5 You can often find it in sugar-free jams, chocolates, chewing gum, and desserts on the supermarket shelves.

Sorbitol is around 60% as sweet as sugar and has about 35 percent fewer calories per grams. It’s thought to be a much better choice in terms of oral health too. For those reasons and others, it’s considered a healthier alternative to sugar.6

Benefits of sorbitol

Whether you’re keeping an eye on your sugar intake or simply want to make less sugary choices, sorbitol offers a range of different benefits. These may include:

  • Blood sugar control7
  • Weight loss8
  • Oral health9

However, it is essential to talk to your doctor if you have any specific health concerns. This is especially important if you’re taking any other medications or if you have a chronic condition. They’re the best people to advise on how best to treat your symptoms or concerns.

Potential risks of sorbitol

While sorbitol is thought to be safe for most people, it is essential to be aware of the potential side effects of consuming too much.10 Some side effects might include:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea
  • Bloating11

Suppose you’re concerned about the potential side effects of sorbitol for sweetening your food. In that case, there are plenty of other artificial sweeteners on the market. If you’re wondering about whether sorbitol is included in your chosen product, check the label. All pre-packaged food will have information about whether or not the ingredient list includes sorbitol, as well as advice on how much to eat or use.

Last updated: 7 April 2021

Related Articles

Sign up for exclusive offers
Plus, get expert advice to support your health & wellness straight to your inbox when you sign up to Holland & Barrett emails.