10 Common Causes of Flatulence
Cause #6: Eating Foods High in Polyols
Polyols are sugar alcohols that can be either manmade and added as a sweetener to foods, or they can also occur naturally in certain fruits or vegetables. Common polyols in foods are sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, xylitol, isomalt, and lactitol. For example, sorbitol can be found in artificial sweeteners or, naturally, in apples, avocado, peaches, and pears.
Polyols can be partly absorbed by our gut; however, this will largely depend on the individual and the type of polyol ingested. When polyols are not absorbed, our intestinal bacteria ferment the sugar in them. This can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloating and flatulence. Furthermore, excessive consumption of foods that contain polyols can draw fluids into the colon and accelerate intestinal transit. This can have a laxative effect in susceptible individuals by triggering bowel movements.
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