Sorbitol induced breath hydrogen in healthy volunteers

Background: We have previously shown that healthy male volunteers after oral lactulose develop significant abdominal bloating, excessive flatus passage and increased breath hydrogen. Objective: The aim of this study was to measure breath hydrogen, abdominal bloating and flatus passage after oral sorbitol and to compare these parameters with those produced by lactulose. Materials and Methods: The same normal volunteers who had participated in the lactulose study also were used in this study. After oral sorbitol, bloating score, number of flatus passage and breath hydrogen over a period of 8 hours was measured. These parameters were compared with those which had been obtained after lactulose. Results: These male healthy volunteers after oral sorbitol produced breath hydrogen, had abdominal bloating and passed flatus similar to that produced after lactulose. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal symptoms produced by some foods and fruits in otherwise healthy persons may be due to the sorbitol content of those foods. The manufacturers should clearly state the amount of sorbitol in such foods.