Small-bowel absorption of D-tagatose and related effects on carbohydrate digestibility: an ileostomy study

Background: The ketohexose D-tagatose is a new sweetener with a low energy content. This low energy content may be due to either low absorption of the D-tagatose or decreased absorption of other nutrients. Objective: The aims of this study were to measure the excretion of D-tagato se from the human small bowel, to calculate the apparent absorption of D-ta gatose, and to study the effects of D-tagatose on the small-bowel excretion of other carbohydrates. Design: A controlled diet was served for 2 periods of 2 d during 3 consecut ive weeks to 6 ileostomy subjects. In one of the periods, 15 g D-tagatose w as added to the diet daily. Duplicate portions of the diet and ileostomy ef fluents were freeze-dried and analyzed to calculate the apparent net absorp tion of D-tagatose and carbohydrates. Results: Median D-tagatose excretion was 19% (range: 12-31%), which corresp onded to a calculated apparent absorption of 81% (69-88%). Of the total amo unt of D-tagatose excreted [2.8 g (1.7-4.4 g)], 60% (8-88%) was excreted wi thin 3 h. Between 3 and 5 h, 32% (11-82%) was excreted. Excretion of wet ma tter increased by 41% (24-52%) with D-tagatose ingestion. Sucrose and D-glu cose excretion increased to a small extent, whereas no significant changes were found in the excretion of dry matter, energy, starch, or D-fructose. Conclusions: The apparent absorption of 15 g D-tagatose/d was 81%. D-Tagato se had only a minor influence on the apparent absorption of other nutrients .