Erythritol is a type of sweetener that has zero calories, and it is widely used for diverse low calories and sugar foods and drinks. It is also presence in some fruits. Erythritol has a high tolerance for digestion and it is non- glycemic, which means it is suitable for diabetics and does not promote the development of cavities. It is a white crystalline powder with a sweet and clean taste, similar to sucrose's. Its sweetness level is approximately 70% of the sucrose.

Direct uses and industrial applications

Erythritol is a polyol (sugar alcohol) that is presented naturally in certain fruits, such as pears, melons and grapes, as well as other foods like mushrooms and foods derived from fermentation, for example wine, soy sauce and cheese.

Since 1990, erythritol is commercially produced and added to food and drinks in order to sweeten them and enhancing their taste and texture. It is mostly distributed in the United States and the rest of the world by Cargill, Inc. and Jungbunzlauer.

Nutritional information

The caloric value of zero calories per gram of erythritol and its high tolerance to digestion distinguish it from other polyols. Since erythritol is rapidly absorbed by the small intestine and rapidly eliminated by the body within 24 hours, laxative side effects that are sometimes associated with excessive consumption of polyols are unlikely for foods containing erythritol.

Erythritol has 0 calories per gram for food labeling purposes in the United States, Europe, and Japan. This value is based on the unique absorption and elimination process of erythritol that does not involve its metabolization. Therefore, erythritol has the unique zero calorie bulking sweetener ability to formulate “reduced calorie” and "light" products that require a calorie reduction of 25 percent or more over the standard formula.

Frequently asked questions

What is erythritol? Erythritol is a good-tasting, zero-calorie bulking sweetener that is suitable for various calorie-reduced, sugar-free foods and beverages. It has been part of the human diet for thousands of years due to its presence in fruits and other foods.

What are erythritol's benefits? Erythritol is ideal for diabetics. It has a glycemic index of 0. It does not increase blood sugar levels and therefore is not metabolized into glucose, being a suitable supplement for diabetics.

What does erythritol contain? Erythritol is a sugar alcohol and can be found naturally in fruits such as: grapes, pears and watermelons. It can also be found in mushrooms and fermented foods such as: beer, cheese, sake, soy sauce and wine. It is a natural sweetener that is obtained through the fermentation of sugar.

How to replace sugar with erythritol? Erythritol is less sweet than sugar, so you should add 25% more of this sweetener to achieve a similar taste to refined sugar. For every tbsp sugar, 1 1⁄2 tbsp erythritol.