WATCH OUT FOR SUGAR ALCOHOLS!

After an email inquiry from a client asking about a certain electrolyte product on the market, I felt compelled to share this, for those of you who may be unfamiliar…

While we PALEO devotees, whether athletes or not, are already quite savvy at reading labels in search of hidden culprits, there are a couple of ingredients in particular that I must point out, which could make or break one's race:

SORBITOL AND MALITOL… BEWARE!

These are low calorie sugar alcohols found in sugar free mints, gum and 'low carb energy bars', as well as (unfortunately) some sports nutrition products.   Sorbitol acts as a binder and filler as well as a sweetener.

So, what's the problem with that?

Well, they are also both indicated for use as a laxative and cause cramping, bloating and diarrhea in many people who consume them.

I, for one, avoid that junk like the plague!

Incidentally, I have a personal friend who is an elite runner, who is sponsored by a nutrition company that uses sorbitol in their products.  Despite my friend's ability to run like the amazing runner he is, he often DNFs out of races due to- wait for it- stomach distress.  Yet  he won't consider taking this product out of his race MO… Argh!!

If you've been having unexplained GI issues, have a look at everything you're eating and see if you don't discover these two sneaky ingredients somewhere in your diet…