A Systematic Review of the Effects of Polyols on Gastrointestinal Health and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Polyols are sugar alcohols found in certain fruits, vegetables, and sugar-free sweeteners. They make up a component of the diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which is gaining popularity in the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effects of polyols on the gastrointestinal tract in healthy men and women and in patients with IBS. Utilizing PubMed, Ovid, and Embase databases, we conducted a search on individual polyols and each of these terms: fermentation, absorption, motility, permeability, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Standard protocols for a systematic review were followed. We found a total of 1823 eligible articles, 79 of which were included in the review. Overall, available work has shown that polyol malabsorption generally occurs in a dose-dependent fashion in healthy individuals, and malabsorption increases when polyols are ingested in combination. However, studies in patients with IBS have shown conflicting results pertaining to polyol malabsorption. Polyol ingestion can lead to intestinal dysmotility in patients with IBS. Regarding the microbiome, moderate doses of polyols have been shown to shift the microbiome toward an increase in bifidobacteria in healthy individuals and may therefore be beneficial as prebiotics. However, data are limited regarding polyols and the microbiome in patients with IBS. Polyols can induce dose-dependent symptoms of flatulence, abdominal discomfort, and laxative effects when consumed by both healthy volunteers and patients with IBS. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of specific polyols on gastrointestinal function, sensation, and the microbiome in health and gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS.

The β-Fructofuranosidase from Rhodotorula dairenensis: Molecular Cloning, Heterologous Expression, and Evaluation of Its Transferase Activity

“…RdINV also used different alditols as fructosylation acceptors, including erythritol and mannitol, which could improve their functional properties. These low-digestible molecules are considered a food supplement for people with diabetes and intestinal disorders, but they also could increase the bifidobacteria community in the human gut microbiome [46,47]. Therefore, the broad acceptor promiscuity of RdINV would increase its biotechnological potential and make it interesting for food and pharmacological sectors.…”

The Influence of Diet on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Bacterial Biofilms in the Human Oral Cavity

“…The most important congenital risk factors include age, genotypes (genetic factors), gender, and race. The second group includes variable determinants, i.e., improper oral hygiene, local factors of plaque accumulation (gingival areas, inadequately placed fillings, tooth crowding, cervical areas of crowns, bridges), unfavorable composition of bacterial biofilm present on the teeth, use of tobacco (smoking pipes, cigarettes, cigars, the use of non-flammable tobacco-chewing snuff), nutritional deficiencies (lack of vitamin C, calcium), diseases (e.g., diabetes, alcoholism, osteoporosis) and long-term exposure to stressors [ 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 ],…”

“…Intensive sweeteners, weaker than sucrose, should meet certain conditions, i.e., have sweetness such as sucrose, be safe for health, be cheap and functional, demonstrate resistance to digestive processes in the digestive tract, not they should provide energy and cause tooth decay, allergies and diarrhea. Intensive sweeteners are divided into natural (stevidosis, glycyrhizin, thaumatin, monellin, pentadine, curculin-in Poland only thaumatin is approved for use in food) and artificial (saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K, cyclamates, alitama, sucralose) [ 125 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 , 151 , 152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 , 167 , 168 , 169 , 170 , 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 , 175 , 176 , 177 , 178 , 179 , 180 ].…”

“…When a child is fed (naturally or artificially), too often and excessively long, before going to bed (during the day or at night, when there is less salivation) and if the child’s teeth are not cleaned, the enamel becomes demineralized and, consequently, caries. After the child reaches 17 weeks of age (up to 26 weeks of age), it is recommended to introduce into the daily menu next to dairy foods, gradually supplementary non-dairy foods, and at the age of 9–24 months-snacks such as vegetables, fruit and bread [ 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 ]. After the age of two, it is beneficial for your child to eat 4–5 meals a day, avoid extra snacks, and leave at least 2 h between meals to allow saliva to neutralize acids and repair enamel.…”

Gut Microbiota Prevents Sugar Alcohol-Induced Diarrhea

“…However, ingestion of these poorly-absorbed sugar alcohols may lead to gastrointestinal symptoms in some people and have laxative effects. For example, it has been reported that the excessive use of chewing gum containing sorbitol may cause symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, and bloating [4,5]. The main cause of the diarrhea is thought to be the accumulation of poorly-absorbed sugar alcohols in the colon, where they increase colonic osmotic pressure and prevent water absorption [6].…”