Zero-calorie sugar substitute erythritol on the rise: Is it too good to be true?

Understanding Erythritol

Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol found in small amounts in certain fruits like melon, pear, or grapes, as well as in some sea fruits, mushrooms, and flower pollen.

Typically, it's produced through a fermentation process using glucose or starch hydrolysates, with various yeast strains.

A Healthier Sugar Substitute

Each gram of erythritol contains only 0.24 calories, significantly less than the 4 calories provided by the same amount of sugar.

However, to achieve the same level of sweetness, slightly more erythritol than sugar is needed — about two and a half teaspoons of erythritol are equivalent to two teaspoons of sugar. Still, it's a worthwhile choice for those concerned about calorie intake.

Studies indicate that erythritol doesn't feed yeast, making it safe to use even for those with fungal-disease-based conditions.

Additionally, erythritol is not metabolized by the human body, (it's excreted in its original form), and it doesn't cause an increase in blood sugar levels, making it ideal for diabetics.

The Downside of Erythritol

Like other sugar alcohols, erythritol lacks nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium, cobalt, manganese, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, folic acid, pantothenic and biotin found in nutrient-rich sugars like honey.

Consuming too much erythritol may cause side effects in some individuals, including nausea, headaches, and digestive problems like diarrhea and constipation.

The daily consumption limit for erythritol has not been established, neither by the European Food Safety Authority nor the US Food and Drug Administration.