UC Davis Researchers Identify Gut Microbiome Changes Linked to Sorbitol Intolerance

UC Davis researchers have found that changes in the gut microbiome can lead to an inability to digest sorbitol, a sugar alcohol found in sugar-free products. A study with mice revealed that taking antibiotics and a high-fat diet reduced the number of Clostridia gut microbes responsible for breaking down sorbitol. The research suggests that an impairment in the microbial ability to break down sorbitol causes sorbitol intolerance, and efforts to restore the gut bacteria’s ability to break down sorbitol were successful in protecting the mice from sorbitol-induced diarrhea.