7: Why Your Gut Reacts to “Healthy” Foods: Sugar Alcohols (Polyols) Explained

In this Team Gut Girls bloating series episode, Dr. Whitney Baxter, ND with co-hosts Dr. Christina Carew, ND and Dr. Dominique Vanie, ND discuss sugar alcohols (polyols)—the “P” in FODMAP—as a sneaky cause of bloating, gas, loose stools, and abdominal discomfort. They explain these reduced-calorie sweeteners (e.g., xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, erythritol, maltitol) occur naturally in some fruits and vegetables and are common in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, frozen desserts, jams, and some drinks; a practical label tip is to look for ingredients ending in “-ol.” Polyols are incompletely absorbed in the small intestine, reach the microbiome, and ferment, with tolerance varying by person and quantity, especially in IBS with visceral hypersensitivity. They note reasons for use (texture, moisture, reduced browning, cooling sensation, fewer cavities, lower sugar impact) and summarize that current evidence suggests no harmful microbiome effects and possible prebiotic benefits, advising symptom tracking and discussing concerns with a clinician or dietitian rather than automatically eliminating foods.