[Carbohydrate substitutes: comparative study of intestinal absorption of fructose, sorbitol and xylitol].
BACKGROUND
The carbohydrate substitutes fructose, sorbitol and xylitol are gaining more and more importance in the production of dietary food. But they can provoke gastrointestinal side-effects. In a randomized double blind study the rate of malabsorption of these sugars was compared and the concomitant symptoms were recorded.


METHODS
25 healthy controls received 25 g of each sugar within 3 consecutive days. The intestinal absorption was determined by H2-exhalation tests and the clinical symptoms were recorded.


RESULTS
The rate of malabsorption was 84% for sorbitol, 36% for fructose and 12% for xylitol (p < 0.01 for sorbitol versus fructose and xylitol). 57% of the participants with pathological H2-test after sorbitol and 56% after fructose reported symptoms, while all of the 3 malabsorbers of xylitol were symptomatic.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an advantage to administering xylitol and fructose with regard to the intestinal absorption and concomitant symptoms as compared with sorbitol. H2-exhalation tests appear to be a reliable diagnostic tool to detect carbohydrate malabsorption and should find broader application in patients suffering from non-specific abdominal complaints.
Born
P
P
II. Medizinische Klinik, Technischen Universität München.
Zech
J
J
Stark
M
M
Classen
M
M
Lorenz
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D007792:Lactulose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014993:Xylitol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D005632:Fructose; D007792:Lactulose; D013012:Sorbitol; D014993:Xylitol
Zuckeraustauschstoffe: Vergleichende Untersuchung zur intestinalen Resorption von Fructose, Sorbit und Xylit.