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Sorbitol can become fructose and affect the liver — Level A1 — ice with cherry on top

Sorbitol can become fructose and affect the liverCEFR A1

28 Nov 2025

Adapted from Washington U. in St. Louis, Futurity CC BY 4.0

Photo by Myriam Zilles, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
1 min
52 words
  • Sorbitol can change into fructose in the liver.
  • This change may harm the liver.
  • Gary Patti leads the research team.
  • The work is in Science Signaling.
  • Scientists used zebrafish to follow sorbitol.
  • Some gut bacteria eat sorbitol.
  • If bacteria are missing, sorbitol goes to liver.
  • Sugar substitutes may not always be safer.

Difficult words

  • sorbitolA type of sugar that is not real sugar.
  • candyA sweet food, like gum or sweets.
  • researchStudy to find out new information.
  • liverAn important organ in the body.
  • fructoseA type of sugar found in fruit.
  • healthCondition of the body and mind.

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Do you like candy or gum? Why?
  • What do you think about sugar substitutes?
  • How important is it to know about what we eat?

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Sorbitol can become fructose and affect the liver — English Level A1 | LingVo.club