All About Health

There are lots of people who are considering abandoning their sugar habits, but sugar-free or the low-sugar foods still have a lot of them in a state of two minds. But, there is good news, thanks to sweeteners such as erythritol. Whatever you love to eat; like your cookies, can now be prepared without sugar, and still, taste as sweet as you want them to be.

Although it may sound new to you, Erythritol (pronounced ear-RITH-ri-tall) has been in existence for as long as we’ve known peaches, mushrooms, pears, grapes, and watermelon. It is a kind of carbohydrate that is called ‘sugar alcohol’ which people use as a substitute for sugar.

Erythritol can be found naturally in certain foods. It is can also be prepared through the fermentation of wine, beer, and cheese.

Uses of erythritol

In addition to its natural existence in foods, erythritol can also be used as an artificial sweetener and has been used since 1990. It can be found along with other sugar substitutes both in stores and online too.

It is also sold in bulk to beverage companies that need to use a sweetener to make their products sweetened or to thicken their low-calorie, sugar-free foods and beverages. You may also find it mixed with other sugar substitutes such as aspartame, Truvia and stevia, to make them sweeter.

Benefits of erythritol

In addition to being equal with sugar in terms of taste, erythritol also provides the following benefits.

1. Helps with your weight loss program.

The use of sucrose harms your weight and on the accumulation of adiposity. Health enthusiasts as well as people who are trying to lose weight often stop consuming sugar and opt for artificial sweeteners (Erythritol) if they cannot go without sugar.

Erythritol, however, has a glycemic index that’s very low (GI = 0). When you add it to drinks, such as your muffins or sweets, you will reduce the accumulation of glucose in the blood, which triggers your weight gain.

• Antidiuretic properties

Erythritol has been found not to increase your level of serum glucose or insulin levels in the body. However, a single dose of glucose (same as a single dose of erythritol) can quickly increase your insulin levels within 30 minutes.

• Prevents tooth decay (it’s Non-Cariogenic)

Erythritol inhibits the growth of what is known as oral bacteria, (e.g. streptococcus) these forms a biofilm on the teeth and causes tooth decay.

Other benefits include it being Gut-Friendly, Non-Acidogenic, and also helps Potential Antioxidant Activity

Side effects of Erythritol

This low-calorie sweetener may seems to many people as too good to be true, but it true.

It is natural, does not cause any potentially risky side effects and has a taste almost the same with sugar, but without the calories.

It has all the benefits of the regular sugar but without its side effects, although many people still doubt how true this is.

Eating a lot of alcohol sugar can cause bloating and stomach upset. Some sugar alcohols may bring about gas and cramps, or even act as a laxative when they get to the colon. But erythritol breaks down before reaching your colon. As a result, the body system of a lot of people generally handles it better than the other sugar alcohols, consequently, it does come with no warning (https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-erythritol).

Nutrition studies that provide up to 0.45 grams per lbs. (1 gram/kg) of body weight have shown that erythritol is well tolerated by the body.

However, a study has shown that about 50 grams of erythritol in one dose may increase the feeling of nausea and stomach noise. However, unless you eat a lot of it at the same time, it is not likely to bring about a stomach upset. It is also believed that the erythritol sensitivity level in different people varies.

learn more about aspartame sweetener