Study Suggests Sweetener May Contribute to Liver Disease
A study from Washington University suggests that sorbitol, a common sugar substitute, may contribute to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Researchers found that when gut bacteria are absent, the liver converts sorbitol into fructose, leading to fat accumulation.
Why it matters
This research challenges the assumption that sugar alcohols are metabolically inert and could impact dietary guidelines for processed foods.
A new study suggests that sorbitol, a sugar alcohol commonly used as a low-calorie sweetener, may contribute to the development of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) under certain conditions, and that sugar alcohols may not be harmlessly expelled from the body without consequences.
The article summarizes scientific findings objectively without taking a stance on the food industry.
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