Human gastrointestinal tolerance to D-tagatose

D-Tagatose is a stereoisomer of D-fructose which is poorly absorbed in the small intestine and may, therefore, have potential as a reduced calorie bul k sweetener. However, one of the major limitations is the use of malabsorbe d sugars is that their consumption may be associated with gastric discomfor t. This is due to the osmotic impact of the sugar molecules remaining in th e gut lumen for a prolonged period. We have performed a series of studies i n which gastrointestinal symptoms have been recorded after the consumption of 29 or 30 g of D-tagatose. Nausea and diarrhea were reported with an inci dence of 15.1 and 31.5%, respectively, in 73 healthy young male subjects in a screening study. Increased flatulence after D-tagatose was frequently re ported in all the studies and the flatulence did not decline during a 15-da y period with intake of 30 g in one dose daily. In most cases, symptoms wer e reported as light or moderate, However, the results suggest that 30 g tak en at one time may be above the dose which should be recommended for ordina ry use. (C) 1999 Academic Press.