What is "sorbitol" and "mannitol"?

What is "sorbitol" and "mannitol"?

Susan Silberstein & Marilyn Joyce (Health and Nutrition Educator & Heath Counselor) gives expert video advice on: Is honey a healthy sweetener?; Are there healthy substitutes for refined sugar? and more...

Sorbitol and mannitol are what we call alcohol-derived sugars or sweeteners. They are low in calories. They have a nice taste actually overall but the problem with them is because of their slow absorption, they can cause really serious gastric distress, gas, flatulence, cramps. Many of my clients have experienced those symptoms and didn't know what it was because many times you buy something that has those types of sweeteners and you don't realize that's what you are getting and then you develop these symptoms and when we look at the label and see this is in it; that's usually the causative factor.