Sugar Substitute 2 : Erythritol popularly used in low carb baked goods

Erythritol

What is Erythritol?

Cleveland Clinic (2023) explains that Erythritol is an artificial sweetener categorized as a sugar alcohol. Despite its name, it is neither sugar nor alcohol in the traditional sense. Sugar alcohols are generally less sweet than sugar, while artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharine can be up to 700 times sweeter than sugar.

Our bodies naturally produce sugar alcohols, including erythritol. Additionally, erythritol is commercially produced through the fermentation of corn and is used as an additive in various foods.

According to WebMD (2023) and National Medicine (2023), there are:

Advantages of Erythritol used in baked goods:

Calories: Zero calories.

Blood Sugar Friendly: Erythritol does not impact glucose or insulin levels.

Taste: It has a flavour very similar to table sugar.

Cavity Friendly: Typically, bacteria in the mouth break down regular sugars and starches into acid, which can erode enamel and cause cavities. However, the FDA states that erythritol promotes oral health by inhibiting the growth of certain bacteria and reducing the acid they produce.

Heat Stability: It is stable under heat. Therefore Erythritol is suitable for baked goods.

Disadvantages of Erythritol used in baked goods:

Cardiovascular Risks: Growing scientific evidence suggests that erythritol and other artificial sweeteners may pose health risks. Recent studies indicate that erythritol might be linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death. While the FDA deems erythritol safe due to its natural occurrence, further research is necessary to fully understand its potential health risks.

Side Effects: Consuming large quantities of erythritol can lead to digestive problems ranging from mild to severe, including bloating, cramping, excess gas, and diarrhea.

References:

Cleveland Clinic 2023, Artificial Sweetener Erythritol’s Major Health Risks, March 7 2023, <https://health.clevelandclinic.org/erythritol>

PubMed National Library of Medicine 2023, The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk, March 2023, < https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36849732/>

WebMD 2023, What is erythritol, Sep 26 2023 <https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-erythritol>