$Unique_ID{BRK00346}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What is "Chewing Gum Diarrhea"?}
$Subject{chewing gum diarrhea Digestive diet diets dieting foods sweetener
sweeteners sugar substitute substitutes hexitol hexitols sorbitol mannitol
diarrhea small intestines dietetic food diarrhea}
$Volume{I-26}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is "Chewing Gum Diarrhea"?


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QUESTION:  You seem to delight in explaining conditions with strange names to
us.  I must admit I find them interesting, and frequently use them to spice up
conversations that are growing dull.  What can you tell us about "Chewing Gum
Diarrhea"?

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ANSWER:  I hope you don't intend to use this answer for mealtime discussions!
You are right, however, about my interest in "medical trivia".  It provides a
wide range of "collectibles," and chewing gum diarrhea ranks along with the
more interesting.  It is caused by eating large amounts of sugar substitutes
used to sweeten food products prepared for those who must avoid regular
sugar.  The sugarlike substances, hexitols, sorbitol and mannitol cause
diarrhea by a combination of slow absorption as they speed up the contractions
of the small intestines, speeding the food on its way.  The same substances
are also used to sweeten sugar-free gum, giving rise to the name.  It is also
called "dietetic food diarrhea," but I guess that is a less interesting name.
Incidentally the diarrhea rapidly disappears as soon as the intake of these
chemicals is stopped.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.