carbohydrate Other Oral & topical

Sorbitol

A sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener and moisture-retaining humectant in foods, supplements, and personal care products.

Sci.D-glucitol d-glucitol d-sorbitol d-sorbitol solution non-gmo sorbitol parteck sorbitol sorbitol anhydrides sorbitol crystalline powder sorbitol granular sorbitol powder sorbitol solution sorbitol sorbitan solution sorbitol special sorbitol syrup sorbitol fatty acid esters Sorbitol ester
5 forms
Oral & topical

About Sorbitol

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol (polyol) derived from glucose via hydrogenation. It occurs naturally in some fruits and is commercially produced from corn syrup. As a humectant, it retains moisture, and as a sweetener, it provides about 60% of the sweetness of sucrose with a lower glycemic impact. It is not readily absorbed in the small intestine and is partially fermented in the colon, classifying it as a low-digestible carbohydrate and a common FODMAP.

Official resources

Fact sheets from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements related to this ingredient group.

Dietary Supplement Label Database

Ingredient group data in NutriNav is aligned with the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD).

DSLD group id
1712

At a glance

Max safe daily

No established UL. Laxative effects typically occur with single doses exceeding 20-50 grams or daily intakes above 30-40 grams, varying by individual.

Approval status

GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a food additive, sweetener, and humectant. Also approved for use in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Compare All Forms

5 forms

Compare supplement forms of Sorbitol by absorption quality and what your body actually gets from each:

High Moderate Low
Form Absorption Steps to absorb Notes Action
Sorbitol

Sugar-free sweetener & humectant. May have a laxative effect...

  • UNII: 506T60A25R
  • CAS: 50-70-4
  • Label category: synthetic
 — — — View →
Sorbitol Crystalline Powder

Commonly used as a sugar-free sweetener, humectant, and text...

  • UNII: 506T60A25R
  • CAS: 50-70-4
  • Label category: synthetic
 — — — View →
Sorbitol ester — — — View →
Sorbitol Granular

Low-calorie sweetener & humectant; may have a laxative effec...

  • UNII: 506T60A25R
  • CAS: 50-70-4
  • Label category: hybrid
 — — — View →
Sorbitol Solution (70%)

Common humectant & sweetener; may cause digestive discomfort...

  • UNII: 506T60A25R
  • CAS: 50-70-4 (for sorbitol); solution concentration not separately registered.
  • Label category: synthetic
 — — — View →

Also appears on labels as

Additional names seen on supplement labels for forms of this ingredient (beyond the main aliases above).

D-Glucitol solution, Glucitol, Hexitol solution, Sorbicol, Sorbit, Sorbitab, Sorbite, Sorbitol 70%, Sorbitol 70% Solution, Sorbitol liquid, Sorbogem, Sugar alcohol

Type: Other

Miscellaneous ingredients including fillers, binders, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and other additives found in supplements.

Absorption: Many of these ingredients are inert fillers or additives that may affect absorption of active ingredients.

Interactions: Some additives may have health concerns. Fillers may reduce absorption of other nutrients. Preservatives and artificial colors may cause adverse reactions in sensitive individuals.

Watch out for

Possible interactions or cautions — talk to a healthcare provider if unsure.

  • May enhance the laxative effect of other osmotic agents or stimulant laxatives.
  • Can reduce the absorption rate of concurrently ingested drugs due to accelerated gastrointestinal transit when consumed in laxative doses.

Potential Benefits

Benefits associated with Sorbitol forms:

Low-Calorie Sweetening Humectant / Moisturizer Dental health (non-cariogenic) Osmotic laxative Stabilizer & texturizer Dental Health

And 7 more benefits...

Potential Side Effects

Side effects associated with Sorbitol forms:

Laxative Effect How serious: Mild Gas and Diarrhea How serious: Mild Gastrointestinal Discomfort How serious: low Potential skin irritation (rare) How serious: low Skin Irritation (rare) How serious: Mild Gastrointestinal Distress How serious: low

And 2 more side effects...

What does the research say?

Sorbitol is well-studied as a sugar substitute, humectant, and excipient. It is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. Clinical evidence supports its use as a non-cariogenic sweetener and osmotic laxative. Its humectant properties in topical formulations are well-established in cosmetic science. The 70% solution is a standard pharmaceutical and cosmetic grade due to its stability and functional properties.