Scientists have issued an urgent warning about sorbitol, a widely used sweetener found in many “sugar-free” and low-calorie products, after new research linked it to a potentially deadly liver condition.
According to the study, sorbitol — commonly used in chewing gum, diet drinks, sugar-free snacks and numerous low-calorie foods — may contribute to the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the condition previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The research indicates that sorbitol can accumulate in the liver when the gut microbiome becomes disrupted. This buildup, scientists say, can trigger dangerous fat deposits in the liver, potentially leading to MASLD. The disease already affects an estimated one in five people in the UK, though experts believe the real figure could be closer to 40 percent, with many cases going undetected.
Published in Science Signalling, the study examined the gut microbiome of zebrafish to understand how the body handles sorbitol. Researchers found that healthy gut bacteria — which normally break down nutrients during digestion — also play a crucial role in preventing sorbitol from reaching the liver. When these bacteria were depleted, the naturally produced sorbitol resulting from glucose digestion travelled directly to the liver, causing fatty liver disease even though the fish were fed a normal diet.
Under normal conditions, gut bacteria break down sorbitol before it can reach the bloodstream or liver, acting as a protective barrier. But when the microbiome is weakened or disrupted, this protection fails, allowing sorbitol to accumulate and cause liver damage.
The findings raise new concerns about the long-term effects of gut health and artificial sweeteners, especially for individuals relying heavily on “sugar-free” products.