What is Erythritol? How does Erythritol work for the body?

Low-calorie sweetener is popular with many people because it is quite healthy and safe for the body, especially for those who love sweet. And one of those substances used is erythritol. So do you know what erythritol is? If not, let’s find out what it is and how it works for the body with Cfis.edu.vn.

What is Erythritol?

Erythritol is a form of sugar alcohol, white crystalline powder, odorless and sweet

Erythritol belongs to a group of compounds known as sugar alcohols , which are white, odorless crystals with a rather sweet taste . Besides erythritol, there are several other sugar alcohols used as sweeteners such as xylitol, sorbitol and maltitol . Most of them are low in calories and are commonly found in fruits and vegetables.

In particular, compared to other sugar alcohols, erythritol contains fewer calories than most. If cane sugar contains 4 calories/g or xylitol is 2.4 calories/g, then erythritol contains only 0.24 calories/g . This means that erythritol provides only about 6% of the calories in the same amount of sugar. However, even though it is only 6% calories, it contains up to 70% sweeteners .

Applications of erythritol

Since 1990, Japan has used erythritol in foods such as: Chocolate, singum, yogurt, biscuits, jelly, jam, low-fat drinks, etc. By 1997, erythritol was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. FDA approved them as safe and in 2001 FDA approved them to be used as food additives in the US.

Up to now, erythritol has been used for food in more than 50 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, the European Union (in 2008),…

Erythritol is used in food in many countries

In addition, erythritol is also used to reduce calorie foods by combining with other low calorie sweeteners such as acesulfame potassium, aspartame. Or other polyols such as sorbitol, xylitol to create a slight sweetness and no aftertaste.

Not only that, erythritol is also combined with artificial sweeteners to improve the taste of the product. At the same time, they can also add volume and texture, moisturize, etc. quite effectively.

The effect of erythritol on the body

Help lose weight

Erythritol for weight loss

According to Harvard Health Publishing – Consumer Health Education Division of Harvard Medical School (under the direction of Dr. David H. Roberts), the use of erythritol as a sugar substitute can help reduce calorie intake as well as reduce the amount of calories consumed. Lose body weight easier .

However, you should also eat sweets in moderation because they can still contain calories from other ingredients. Therefore, calories are at risk of increased if you eat too much , not properly controlled.

Reduce tooth decay

Erythritol has the ability to reduce tooth decay

According to an August 2016 study in the International Journal of Dentistry, unlike other sugars, erythritol as well as some sugar alcohols (xylitol, …) have little effect on teeth or cause tooth decay . They can also prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the oral cavity.

Little effect on blood sugar

Erythritol has little effect on blood sugar

According to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center in the United States, unlike artificial sweeteners, erythritol and sugar alcohols are both carbohydrates. Therefore, they still have the ability to raise blood sugar levels.

However, the human body will not fully absorb that amount of erythritol, so they may not have a significant effect on blood sugar compared to other sweeteners.

Reduce the risk of heart disease

Erythritol may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

In a study in 24 adults with type 2 diabetes, results showed that those who took 36g of erythritol/day for one month improved blood vessel function and potentially reduced the risk of heart disease. effective .

In addition, in another study in diabetic rats, the results also showed that erythritol acts as an antioxidant, which can reduce blood vessel damage caused by high blood sugar .

Harm when using erythritol

Causes digestive problems

Erythritol can cause digestive problems

When you take erythritol , about 90% of the substance is absorbed into the bloodstream, the remaining 10% goes undigested to the colon . Unlike most other sugar alcohols, erythritol can resist colon bacteria fermentation.

Therefore, according to a study on the use of erythritol and xylitol, the results showed that taking 50g of erythritol in a single dose increased nausea and stomach upset . This means that when you eat large amounts at once, it has the potential to cause stomach upset. However, sensitivity to erythritol varies from person to person.

Possible skin allergies

Erythritol can cause skin allergies

According to a study published in 2000 in the Journal of Dermatology, erythritol can cause allergic skin reactions such as rashes, hives, boils, etc. in some people. However, this side effect is very rare.

Precautions when using erythritol

You should not consume more than 1g of erythritol per kilogram of body weight

Through the side effects of erythritol, when using, you should not consume more than 1g of erythritol per kilogram of body weight (eg no more than 68g of erythritol for a person weighing 68kg ).

If you use erythritol, you have unusual signs, discomfort, allergies, … then stop and immediately go to the nearest medical facility for examination.

Source: Healthline Magazine

Hopefully, through the above sharing, you already know what erythritol is and how it works for the body. Although they have little adverse effect on health, you should not overuse them to avoid experiencing side effects.

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