Sorbitol

Other Name(s):

E 420; CAS# 50-70-4

Sorbitol is made using glucose (from corn most often) and hydrogen.

Is Sorbitol Faithful to Nature?

Depends.

Sorbitol is a naturally occurring ingredient with a wide range of useful benefits and applications. It can be manufactured safely, without polluting the environment using renewable raw materials. Since corn is the most common raw material used in manufacturing corn, we only list Sorbitol containing products with guaranteed absence of GMO.

Benefits: Why is Sorbitol used?

Low GI

Sorbitol is about 55% as sweet as but has a GI of 9 where sugar’s GI is 65.

Flavour Enhancer

Sorbitol is a natural sweetener used to enhance the flavour of chocolates, sweets and other confectionery.

Emulsifier

Sorbitol helps to combine aqueous and oil based ingredients without separating.

Gentle on Teeth

Sorbitol is a non-cariogenic, it does not cause cavities because its not metabolised by bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria break down sugars and starches into acids which then harm the teeth.

Learn more about Sorbitol:

On the Shelf: Which Products Use Sorbitol?

Sorbitol is found in a great many personal care and food products. It’s used extensively in toothpastes, mouthwashes, bar soaps, liquid soaps, facial cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, serums, toners and so much more. In food products, it can be found in baked goods, cakes, muffins, ice creams and more.

Production: How is Sorbitol Made?

Sorbitol is made by exposing the starch to enzymes and broken down into simple sugars to produce glucose. The glucose is then hydrogenated over a metal catalyst and converted into sorbitol.

Interesting Fact: Sorbitol

As a sugar alcohol, excessive consumption of sorbitol may have a laxative effect.

The industrial scale manufacture of vitamin C starts with the conversion of sorbitol to L-sorbose.

Sorbitol is used to enhance the foaming abilities of cleaning and personal washing products.