Erythritol, what is it?
Erythritol is a polyol that occurs naturally in some fruit and fermented foods. It is used as a natural sweetener since it is calorie-free, but with a good taste without aftertaste.
In 2006, the European Commission included Erythritol in the food additives list (2006/52/EC) and the approval was definitive in February 2008. Directive 2008/100/EC labels Erythritol 0 kcal/g.
As a food additives Erythritol can be use with different purposes, but is widely used as a sweetener: the taste is similar to sucrose with a sweetening power equal to 60/70% and that is the reason why it is a great alternative to sugar. Used in combination with intense sweeteners, it can intensify ingredients sweetness, add density and cover unwanted aftertastes.
In the body, 90% of erythritol is absorbed before it enters the large intestine and it is excreted in urine. Therefore, it has a caloric value of 0.2 kilocalories per gram. Clinical studies underline that in adults the gastrointestinal effects of erythritol intake up to 1g/Kg of weight (up to 80g/day maximum) are statistically the same as equal levels of sucrose intake. [1]
Erythritol is almost zero on the glycemic and insulin index and represents a great alternative to sucrose for people who suffer from diabetic or are at risk. [2]
Erythritol works as an antioxidant in vivo and it can help to low the glycemic impact on food and drinks. [3] It is also tooth-friendly: it cannot be metabolized by oral bacteria, so it does not contribute to tooth decay.
- 1. Munro, I.C.; Berndt, W.O.; Borzelleca, J.F.; Flamm, G.; Lynch, B.S.; Kennepohl, E.; Bar, E.A.; Modderman, J. 1998. Erythritol: An interpretive summary of biochemical, metabolic, toxicological and clinical data. Food and Chemical Toxicology 36(12):1139–1174.
- 2. Livesey, G. 2003. Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers, with emphasis on low glycaemic properties. Nutrition Research Reviews 16: 163-191.
- 3. Den Hartog, G.J.M., Boots, A.W., Adam-Perrot, A., Brouns, F., Verkooijen, I.W.C.M., Weseler, A.R., Haenen, G.R.M.M., Bast, A. 2010. Erytritol is a sweet antioxidant. Nutrition 26: 449-458.