A: On average, each Endurolytes FIZZ tablet contains approximately 500 mg of the polyol (sugar alcohol) known as sorbitol. Sorbitol is NOT an artificial sweetener; it is naturally produced in the human body and is found in a variety of foods. The reasons why we use sorbitol in Endurolytes FIZZ are:
- It’s an undeniably better choice than an artificial sweetener like Acesulfame K or Aspartame.
- Unlike xylitol, another natural sweetener, which we use in HEED and Recoverite, sorbitol exhibits excellent tablet binding properties without impeding the effervescent reaction process.
Sorbitol's safety is supported by numerous studies reported in the scientific literature. In developing the current U.S. food and drug regulation which affirms sorbitol as GRAS (“Generally Recognized as Safe”), the safety data were carefully evaluated by qualified scientists of the Select Committee on GRAS Substances selected by the Life Sciences Office of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). In the opinion of the Select Committee, there was no evidence demonstrating a hazard where sorbitol was used at current levels or at levels that might be expected in the future. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's regulation for sorbitol requires the following label statement for foods whose reasonably foreseeable consumption may result in the daily ingestion of 50 grams of sorbitol: "Excess consumption may have a laxative effect."
The Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has reviewed the safety data and concluded that sorbitol is safe. JECFA has established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for sorbitol of "not specified," meaning no limits are placed on its use. An ADI "not specified" is the safest category in which JECFA can place a food ingredient. JECFA's decisions are often adopted by many small countries which do not have their own agencies to review food additive safety.
The Scientific Committee for Food of the European Union (EU) published a comprehensive assessment of sweeteners in 1985, concluding that sorbitol is acceptable for use, also without setting a limit on its use.
REFERENCES:
- Commission of the European Communities. Reports of the Scientific Committee for Food concerning sweeteners. Sixteenth Series. Report EUR 10210 EN. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg, 1985.
- Dwivedi, B.K. Sorbitol and Mannitol. In: Alternative Sweeteners (2nd ed.), L.O. Nabors and R.C. Gelardi eds., Marcel Dekker, Inc., NewYork, 1991.
- European Economic Community Council (EEC). 1990. Directive on food labeling. Official Journal of the European Communities. No. L 276/40 (Oct. 6).
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The evaluation of the energy of certain polyols used as food ingredients. June 1994. (unpublished)
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Evaluation of the health aspects of sorbitol as a food ingredient. Prepared for the Food and Drug Administration. December 1972. (unpublished)
- Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Toxicological evaluation of certain food additives: sorbitol. Twenty-sixth report. WHO Technical Report Series 683, pp. 218-228. Geneva, 1982.
- Office of the Federal Register, General Services Administration. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Section 184.1835, Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1993.
- Sicard, P.J., Leroy, P. Mannitol, Sorbitol and Lycasin: Properties and Food Applications. In: Developments in Sweeteners--2, T.H. Grenby, K.J. Parker and M.G. Lindley eds., Applied Science Publishers LTD, London and New York, 1983.
SOURCE: http://www.caloriecontrol.org/sweeteners-and-lite/polyols/sorbitol
1) Sorbitol has been used for decades; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has affirmed sorbitol as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) and approved its use in various countries.”
2) Sorbitol is naturally produced in the body and occurs naturally in many foods including fruits and berries (NOTE: Sorbitol is found primarily from the trees of the genus Sorbus).
3) Sorbitol is non-carriogenic and does not contribute to dental plaques or dental carries as it is resistant to metabolism by bacteria in the oral cavity (i.e. it's another "good for your teeth and gums" sweetener).
4) Like xylitol, sorbitol contains one-third fewer calories than other carbohydrate sources—about 2.6 calories per gram versus 4.0 grams—which is why it can be used very sparingly.
Sorbitol, like xylitol, and stevia, are undeniably healthier sweeteners when compared to the artificial ones plaguing the sports fuel market, and that's precisely why—along with the natural flavors we use—they are included in Hammer Nutrition fuels. Sorbitol, because of its dual superior tablet binding and sweetening properties, is the logical choice for Endurolytes FIZZ.
