Scientists have raised fresh concerns over sorbitol, a common sweetener used in countless “sugar-free” and low-calorie products, after new research linked it to a potentially deadly liver condition.
The study suggests that sorbitol—found in chewing gum, diet beverages, sugar-free snacks, and many processed foods—may contribute to the development of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Published in the journal Science Signalling, the research shows that sorbitol can accumulate dangerously in the liver when a person’s gut microbiome is disrupted. This buildup can then lead to harmful fat deposits in the liver, raising the risk of MASLD.
MASLD already affects up to one in five people in the UK, but experts warn the true figure may be closer to 40 percent, with most cases undiagnosed.
To understand the process, researchers examined the gut microbiome of zebrafish—an organism often used in biomedical studies. Their findings revealed that when gut bacteria were depleted, sorbitol produced during glucose metabolism bypassed normal digestive breakdown and travelled directly to the liver. Even when fed a normal diet, the fish developed fatty liver disease due to this accumulation.
Under healthy conditions, gut bacteria break down sorbitol before it reaches the liver, acting as a natural protective barrier. However, when the microbiome is weakened—due to illness, antibiotics, or poor diet—this protection collapses, enabling sorbitol to reach the liver unchecked.
Scientists say the findings underscore the critical role of gut health and may prompt renewed scrutiny of sweeteners commonly marketed as “healthy” alternatives.
More updates as experts respond to the findings…
