Eating 'Zero Ice Cream' caused diarrhea all day... Let's find out what the problem is

 

Currently, the only zero-calorie ice creams are 'Jaws Bar Zero' and 'Screw Bar Zero,' launched by Lotte Well Food last April. These products have gained tremendous popularity; Lotte Well Food initially planned to produce 3.2 million units, but within a month, sales exceeded double that amount, reaching 7.2 million units, prompting an urgent increase in production. According to a report by Health Chosun, among the ingredients used in these products, allulose and sucralose can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms if consumed excessively, but sucralose is present in very small amounts in the ice cream. The main cause of abdominal pain is presumed to be allulose. Each of the two products contains 18 grams of allulose. Allulose is a rare natural sugar found in raisins, wheat, and other foods; it provides about 70% of the sweetness of sugar and has almost no calories.

Consuming excessive amounts of allulose can temporarily cause gastrointestinal side effects such as abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. Professor Lee Yoo-jung of the Department of Family Medicine at Godeok Guro Hospital stated, "The oral bioavailability of allulose is 50-70%, meaning 30-50% is not absorbed in the intestines and remains," and "the remaining unabsorbed allulose can cause symptoms like bloating and diarrhea due to osmotic effects and overgrowth of intestinal microorganisms." The recommended amount is 0.4g/kg per meal (0.4g of allulose per kilogram of body weight). A domestic research team analyzed the safe amount of allulose intake per meal by gradually increasing the amount, and it was confirmed that side effects appear from 0.5g/kg in some individuals. For example, a 60kg adult can consume up to 24g per meal. Eating more than two zero-calorie ice creams after a meal can lead to an intake of 36g of allulose, which may cause intestinal issues. Professor Lee Yoo-jung emphasized, "Since digestion varies from person to person, the recommended amount is not an absolute safe intake," and advised, "those who do not tolerate it should avoid consuming it."

Is the gastrointestinal problem caused by allulose intake temporary? Professor Kwon Oran from the Department of Food and Nutrition at Ewha Womans University said, "Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea can occur not only with allulose but also with most alternative sweeteners that are not absorbed in the intestines," and added, "Allulose may cause stomach upset, but it is known to be safer among alternative sweeteners, so no significant problems are expected beyond these symptoms." The Korea Food & Drug Administration also reports no major safety issues and does not set a separate limit for allulose consumption. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also granted Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status to allulose. If gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea occur, stopping intake usually leads to recovery. However, some studies suggest that excessive consumption may raise cholesterol levels, so it is recommended to stick to the advised amount.

Meanwhile, consuming other products containing allulose, such as beverages, was fine, but ice cream containing allulose can sometimes cause problems. This is because ice cream is a cold food, which reduces the activity of digestive enzymes in the intestines. Typically, the activity of digestive enzymes occurs most smoothly at temperatures between 35°C and 40°C. Eating cold foods can lower the temperature of the digestive tract, potentially hindering digestion. Changes can also occur in gastrointestinal motility.