Erythritol is a sugar alcohol or polyol. It is a natural sugar substitute that is derived from cultured sugar using a natural process (fermentation). Erythritol is naturally a zero calorie food. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Erythritol?
Erythritol is 60% – 70% as sweet as sucrose. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. Erythritol does not promote tooth decay and is safe for people with diabetes. Erythritol can be used in, candies, chocolates, yogurts, fillings, jellies, jams, beverages, and a sugar substitutes.
Possible Side Effects of Erythritol
Although Erythritol generally regarded as a very safe and effective supplement, there can be some minor side effects. The side effects may:
-
Potential side effects of consuming more than 80 grams of erythritol per day include diarrhea, bloating and stomach upset, according to About.com. Some individuals may experience these side effects as well as headache when consuming erythritol in smaller amounts.
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Erythritol is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Erythritol populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Erythritol.
Related Research
1. Subgingival air-polishing with erythritol during periodontal maintenance.Randomized clinical trial of twelve months. [J Clin Periodontol. 2014 Jul 9] Author: Müller N, Moëne R, Cancela J, Mombelli A.
2. Erythritol, a non-nutritive sugar alcohol sweetener and the main component of truvia®, is a palatable ingested insecticide. [PLoS One. 2014 Jun 4] Author: Baudier KM, Kaschock-Marenda SD, Patel N, Diangelus KL, O’Donnell S, Marenda DR.
3. Multi-targeted mechanisms underlying the endothelial protective effects of the diabetic-safe sweetener erythritol. [PLoS One. 2013 Jun 5] Author: Boesten DM, Berger A, de Cock P, Dong H, Hammock BD, den Hartog GJ, Bast A.