Severe reaction caused by chewing gum

[Nay]

Hey, ladies:

I just wanted to share with you all something that happened to my husband this past week. Hopefully, no one here will experience the same thing.

Anyway, he wanted some chewing gum and the store didn't have the usual gum that he likes, so he just grabbed some of that gum called "Orbit." He didn't notice at the time (or else he probably wouldn't have bought it) but this particular gum has artificial sweeteners in it such as Xylitol, Aspartame, and Sorbitol.

Well, later that day he experienced the worse diarrhea that he has ever had. I'm talking explosive, runny, watery!!! He thought maybe it was caused by some food he had for breakfast.

The next day (and after chewing more gum) he again experienced the same type of diarrhea. This went on for FOUR DAYS STRAIGHT. I was really beginning to get worried and wondered what the heck was going on.

Finally, I put two and two together and figured out that the only thing that he had been doing differently was chewing this new gum. He threw the gum away, and by the next day the diarrhea had stopped.

I then did an internet search on "Orbit gum and diarrhea" and discovered that MANY other people have reported having similar health problems and varied other problems after eating products that contained sugar substitutes in them. Here is one particular website where people share their experiences: http://www.foodanddiet.com/splenda/splenda-index-9.html

And here is another site that talks about sugar free gum in particular: http://www.sweetpoison.com/newsletter/july-2003.html#xylitol

I'm not saying that EVERYBODY will have weird reactions, but I definitely will never again use anything with Xylitol, Sorbitol, Splenda, Aspartame or any other sugar substitute in it :eek:

Anyway, I just wanted to share this personal experience.

[preciousjewel76]

Yikes! I know of several people that have allergies to artificial sweeteners. Really makes you wonder if they're as "good" (as opposed to sugar) for us as they claim to be.:scratchch

[Honi]

Sugar will kill ya but substitutes will KILL YA!

Nay, how many pieces did he chew before onset of diarrhea. That's amazing that sweeteners in gum can cause that kind of diarrhea. Now I know sorbitol can give you diarrhea but I never even thought about the other components doing that. Thanks for the info.

Yikes! I know of several people that have allergies to artificial sweeteners. Really makes you wonder if they're as "good" (as opposed to sugar) for us as they claim to be.:scratchch

[Nay]

Honi, he only chewed one piece a day and got that reaction :eek: Shoot, if he would have chewed a few pieces, I probably would have had to haul his butt to the E.R. :perplexed

Precious, I'll take my chances with "normal" sugar if this is what the substitutes can do.

[Angel_Face]

Thanks Nay... I know somebody that eats Orbit gum for breakfast lunch and dinner and I tell him all the time that that gum will kill you. I get news letters about the dangers of artificial sweetners, so I know how bad they are.

[Divine Inspiration]

Yep. On the back of some of the sugar-free candies, they tell you that the subsitutes may cause diarrhea.

I always check the back of the packages and/or read ingredients because these companies usually put this information on the package...people simply overlook it or don't know what these chemicals/ingredients are and what they do.

Trader Joe's carries a gum called Glee Gum that I love that doesn't have any of that nonsense in it. It's made from rainforest chicle, and it's quite tasty. It freshens the breath very well. :up: Here's a link to their website: http://verveproducts.com/

[honeycomb719]

Sorbitol and Xylitol isnt all that bad if you dont have allergies. I recommend my patients chew gum containing either one because studies have shown that they cut down on the development of cavities. I by the way am a Orbits gum chewer, its the only kind I like. So, I guess to each its own.

[Nay]

Thanks for the feedback, you guys. And, Divine, thanks for the info on that natural gum. There's a Trader Joe's near my house, and I will definitely be buying some Glee Gum :D

[Angel_Face]

Sorbitol and Xylitol isnt all that bad if you dont have allergies. I recommend my patients chew gum containing either one because studies have shown that they cut down on the development of cavities. I by the way am a Orbits gum chewer, its the only kind I like. So, I guess to each its own.
I hear you. However, I think Splenda should be taken off the market. We once had an ant problem, those bad boys crawled into my box of Splenda in the cubbard and DIED! They were curled up dead at the bottom of the box.

[Divine Inspiration]

Thanks for the feedback, you guys. And, Divine, thanks for the info on that natural gum. There's a Trader Joe's near my house, and I will definitely be buying some Glee Gum :D

You're welcome. I hope you like it as much as I do. :)

[ILuvsmuhgrass]

I hear you. However, I think Splenda should be taken off the market. We once had an ant problem, those bad boys crawled into my box of Splenda in the cubbard and DIED! They were curled up dead at the bottom of the box.


wow :eek:

I started using natural cane sugar. I forget what it's called but I'd rather use that than have the complications from the substitutes. It's amazing what the companies get away with ya know?

[ThickHair]

Artifical sweetners give me horrific stomach aches. So I have to read the labels and make sure the items that I eat do not contain them. It is mainly the one 'Pheonly......." something or other like that. It is the worst.