Sorbitol intolerance in adults. Prevalence and pathogenesis on two continents.

The prevalence and pathogenesis of sorbitol intolerance in adults have not been adequately studied. On oral administration of sorbitol (10 g), 32% of the 124 healthy adults (41 in the U.S.A., 83 in India) developed abdominal symptoms. The orocecal transit time, measured in Asian Indian volunteers by breath hydrogen (H2) analysis, was significantly shorter in those intolerant to sorbitol (71.8 +/- 36.9 min) than in those who were tolerant (109.5 +/- 47.8 min). Our results indicate that sorbitol intolerance is a potential clinical problem in a substantial number of healthy adults. A short orocecal transit time may be responsible for sorbitol intolerance in some people. We discuss the sorbitol content of common foodstuffs.