Gary Patti

Stories

Study finds sugar substitute sorbitol converts to fructose in the liver

Leads the lab that published the sorbitol study; continues fructose metabolism research

Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol in sugar-free gum, candy, and low-calorie foods, may convert into fructose once it reaches the liver. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis traced the pathway in zebrafish and found gut bacteria decide whether the compound stays harmless or becomes a liver threat.

Updated 1 hour ago

Notable Quotes

"because sorbitol is essentially 'one transformation away from fructose,' it can induce similar effects" — Gary Patti, on the study's central finding

from Study finds sugar substitute sorbitol converts to fructose in the liver · Updated 1 hour ago

"there is no free lunch when trying to find sugar alternatives, with many roads leading to liver dysfunction" — Gary Patti, on the broader lesson of the research

from Study finds sugar substitute sorbitol converts to fructose in the liver · Updated 1 hour ago