Small-bowel absorption of D-tagatose and related effects on carbohydrate digestibility: an ileostomy study.
BACKGROUND
The ketohexose D-tagatose is a new sweetener with a low energy content. This low energy content may be due to either low absorption of the D-tagatose or decreased absorption of other nutrients.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to measure the excretion of D-tagatose from the human small bowel, to calculate the apparent absorption of D-tagatose, and to study the effects of D-tagatose on the small-bowel excretion of other carbohydrates.


METHODS
A controlled diet was served for 2 periods of 2 d during 3 consecutive weeks to 6 ileostomy subjects. In one of the periods, 15 g D-tagatose was added to the diet daily. Duplicate portions of the diet and ileostomy effluents were freeze-dried and analyzed to calculate the apparent net absorption of D-tagatose and carbohydrates.


RESULTS
Median D-tagatose excretion was 19% (range: 12-31%), which corresponded to a calculated apparent absorption of 81% (69-88%). Of the total amount of D-tagatose excreted [2.8 g (1.7-4.4 g)], 60% (8-88%) was excreted within 3 h. Between 3 and 5 h, 32% (11-82%) was excreted. Excretion of wet matter increased by 41% (24-52%) with D-tagatose ingestion. Sucrose and D-glucose excretion increased to a small extent, whereas no significant changes were found in the excretion of dry matter, energy, starch, or D-fructose.


CONCLUSIONS
The apparent absorption of 15 g D-tagatose/d was 81%. D-Tagatose had only a minor influence on the apparent absorption of other nutrients.
Normén
L
L
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
Laerke
H N
HN
Jensen
B B
BB
Langkilde
A M
AM
Andersson
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002151:Calorimetry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004063:Digestion; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006601:Hexoses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D006601:Hexoses; D013549:Sweetening Agents; C030192:tagatose