Examination for laxative effect and safety of sugar alcohol-containing chewing gum in healthy subjects

Abstract

Three-fold amounts of ordinary intake (2 pieces by 4-times) of sugar alcohol-containing chewing gum were ingested by 15 male and 15 female subjects 4-times in a day (total 24 pieces) for 1week, and the effects on blood biochemical parameters, urinary property, fecal conditions including fecal frequency and constituents and abdominal symptoms were observed. The study design was randomized single blinded placebo controlled crossover experiment. A total of 24 pieces of test chewing gum contained total sugar alcohols 21.9g (maltitol 14.4g, xylitol 7.2g and others 0.3g) and placebo gum was replaced with sucrose instead of sugar alcohols. No high osmotic diarrhea was caused in every subject. Fecal conditions including fecal frequency and constituents were not significantly different between test and placebo chewing gum groups. Abdominal symptoms were also not significantly different between test and placebo chewing gum groups, but flatus frequently occurred in test chewing gum group. Biochemical data and components of blood and urinary properties were not affected by ingestion of test chewing gum. These results are demonstrated that even 3-fold amounts of ingestion (24 pieces) of ordinary intake of sugar alcohol-containing chewing gum in a day does not induce harmful effects in healthy subjects and the ordinary intake of sugar alcohol-containing chewing gum is safe.