Nowadays, as soon as we go to a shop, our eyes first fall on those things which are written sugar-free, low-calorie or guilt-free. We feel that if there is no sugar then the thing will automatically be good for health. Especially due to fear of diabetes or to keep weight down, people have started taking sugar-free sweets, biscuits, chewing gums, protein bars and diet drinks instead of regular sugar. But the question is whether sugar-free is really completely safe or are we unknowingly harming our body, especially the liver. So let us know that if you repeatedly take sugar free to avoid diabetes, then how it ruins the liver.
Increasing trend of diabetes and sugar-free
Diabetes is spreading very fast in today’s lifestyle. According to the 2024 data of America’s CDC, about 3.84 crore people are suffering from diabetes there, and the surprising thing is that about 87 lakh people do not even know that they have diabetes. In such a situation, people think that if they give up sugar and adopt sugar-free things then they will be safe, hence sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose and sugar alcohol are being used instead of refined sugar. One of these is sorbitol.
What is sorbitol?
Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol, which is used in low-calorie and sugar-free products. It is commonly found in sugar-free chewing gum, protein bars, low-calorie snacks, cough syrups, some medicines, and some fruits (such as apples, pears). Till now, sorbitol has been considered a better and safer option than sugar. But now questions are being raised on this.
How does it ruin the liver?
Scientists from America’s Washington University (St. Louis) have recently conducted an important study, which has been published in a prestigious journal named Science Signaling. This research was led by Dr. Gary Patty. His team has already proven that fructose (a type of sugar) can cause liver damage and promote fatty liver and even cancer cells. In this new study, scientists found that sorbitol is just one step away from fructose and can cause the same harm in the body that fructose does.
What does sorbitol do in the body?
According to research, when we eat food, glucose (sugar) increases in our body. This glucose can be converted into sorbitol after going into the intestine. Then the sorbitol reaches the liver through the intestine. In the liver, it gets converted into fructose and this is where the problem starts. Fructose is considered a major cause of fatty liver disease, which is affecting about 30 percent of adults worldwide today.
Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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