Erythritol, the sweet keto diet ingredient, is a sugar alcohol (polyol) that is approximately 60-80% as sweet as sucrose (table sugar). It is naturally found in minor amounts in some fruits like watermelon, pear, and grape. There's some even in mushrooms and fermented foods like wine, beer, and soy sauce.
In Japan, erythritol has been consumed as a food ingredient since 1990. Thus, there's been plenty of research conducted by Japanese scientists on how safe erythritol is, what are its side effects, etc. Erythritol has been approved in USA since 2001.
It has been used as a white or brown sugar substitute, as well as powdered sugar substitute. Erythritol, just like sugar, can either be granulated or powdered. It has a low glycemic index and is therefore suitable for diabetics.
It is soluble in water, and it starts melting at approximately 145°F (119°C). This might be a handy information for cooking purposes. Its caloric value is less than 0.2 kcal/g for daily intakes not exceeding 25 g/day (which is slightly less than an ounce a day).
There are two methods of fermentation for erythritol production. Both methods include yeast-like fungi to ferment wheat or cornstarch. The fermentation broth is then heated to kill the production organism, and dead cells are removed by filtering. Erythritol further on undergoes various purification procedures, so that the final product is at least 99% pure.
The fermentation method obviously differs from synthetic manufacturing of artificial sweeteners like sucralose. Splenda is a famous sucralose brand name. Erythritol, accompanied by steviol glycoside, is an ingredient of Truvia. If you want to use solely erythritol, Sukrin is one of the most known brands you can find pretty much worldwide. We also recommend Erythritol from So Nourished.
If you want to know more about other keto sweeteners, please check our articles on Monk Fruit, Stevia, and Sucralose (Splenda).
Animal studies of erythritol
Animal studies for toxicity of erythritol are extensive. When tested for acute toxicity, it has been shown to be non-toxic. A most obvious effect, observed in rats, consuming high doses of erythritol, was increased water intake. Some studies also showed soft stool and reduced body weight, and an increased feed intake in some cases.
Long-term studies, lasting up to 2 years, demonstrated that erythritol did not affect survival and had no carcinogenic effect. Nor have studies showed any evidence of mutagenic activity. Furthermore, various studies have indicated that erythritol, even at high doses, has had no adverse effects on fertility or on the developing fetus.
Human studies of erythritol
Various studies show that most of the erythritol is not metabolised to a significant degree in the body. Depending on doses, 60% to more than 90% of ingested erythritol is quickly absorbed from the small intestine. It is then excreted unchanged in the urine within 48 hours.
In healthy volunteers, as well as noninsulin-depended diabetic patients, erythritol intake showed no significant effect on blood glucose levels. Moreover, healthy subjects showed no changes in levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, sodium, potassium or chloride levels, consuming erythritol.
Limited number of studies have shown that erythritol can have a laxative effect, but at higher doses than other polyols. Laxative effect in humans is around 0.5 g per kg of body weight (or slightly under 0.2 ounce per 1 pound of body weight) for a single dose. This means that you might start to feel some stomach discomfort if you eat a lot of erythritol in one setting. Especially if not accompanied by much of other nutrients. Again, this side effect is much less common than in other sugar alcohols.
Should I consume erythritol on a ketogenic, low-carb or LCHF diet?
At the first glance, the answer would be: Of course, why not? Studies show that it does not affect blood glucose or insulin levels. On the other hand, an individual may find that erythritol consumption leads to some insulin level changes or lowered blood ketone levels. As every individual organism acts differently, every "study" (N = 1) will show a different result.
What's important to know is that there are plenty of other factors and background mechanism that we know nothing about, which are playing part in such subject-level measurements' results. It is difficult to point the finger at erythritol alone. I really wish for an extended scientific study on this matter. I've found this product review on Keto diet blog (N= 2) highly enjoyable. If you click on the link and scroll down, you're going to find some blood glucose and ketone level results after consuming certain sweeteners.
So, in my opinion, everyone should decide for themselves, taking their particular goals into consideration. While My Sweet Keto encourages you to try all the delicious keto recipes, I am well aware that some of us need a lot of self-discipline to consume the irresistible treats only a little by little. I suggest taking every dessert as a special treat, enjoying small bites. Freeze the leftovers or invite some friends over. And if you are into measuring your ketone levels, don't imagine that a keto-friendly dish remains keto-friendly in any amount.
I'm saying this because I believe it might be difficult for an ex high carb consumer (or even addict) to completely switch their lifestyle and overcome cravings if all the sweet goodness is still all around them. Even though it's supposed to be guilt-free. The sweet taste might induce cravings for more and more Keto & low-carb desserts (which might lead to overindulging) or even carbs.
Try to decide for yourself whether you're a person who can easily overcome or ignore cravings and enjoy a couple of keto-friendly desserts at the same time. If you're unsure, try keto sweets in small doses and see what happens. When you experience cravings that were not present before, you should maybe think about limiting your dessert intake to once a week or so. Try scheduling a treat day on your calendar.
In any case, I suggest that any keto, low-carb or LCHF beginner should go a month or so without keto treats. And then return to this site.
Moderation is the magic word in this case (and many many other cases).
References
Borneta, F.R.J., Blayob, A., Dauchyc, F., and Slamab, G. (1996). Gastrointestinal Response and Plasma and Urine Determinations in Human Subjects Given Erythritol. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 24(2), S296–S302.
Food Insight. (2010). Everything You Need to Know About Sucralose
Jeremy says
I've been using erythritol in my sugar-free home-made vanilla ice cream successfully for years. I can't tell the taste from sugar-based ice cream anymore (I may have just forgotten), though my son can. You note in your article that it's water-soluble, but you might also note that it is much less water soluble than sucrose โ it is impossible to make a syrup out of it, and there are some other things that sucrose does that erythritol does not, like supporting the growth of baker's yeast. For recipes in which the physical properties of sucrose are necessary, I use allulose (but that won't support yeast either), which deserves its own article. Sadly, allulose is rather more expensive. I hope as demand for it increases, so will production, and the price will come down.
Brunella Brunet says
I find it to be very grainy and I don't find it to be as sweet as you say it is. Really, I don't care for it. Thanks for the in put.
Tisa says
Thank you for the feedback, Brunella.
Gary says
I am just wondering if using artificial sweeteners like Erythritol, although Keto friendly, still supports sugar cravings. When I first started keto I banished all sugars and artificial sweeteners from my diet. Eventually all my sugar cravings were gone completely. But when I started using Erythritol in my diet, I found that some of my cravings for something sweet were back again. Can Erythritol kind of trick the body into thinking it is consuming sugar, even if it really isn't?
Tisa says
Yes, I mention this exact problem in a lot of my posts throughout the blog. That is why I do not recommend having keto desserts at the beginning or having them if one has problems with unstoppable cravings and "weak" self-control. Cravings might be particularly difficult to bear with erythritol and similar sweeteners because not the same serotonin boost happens in the brain as with sugar (so no real brain satisfaction).
Simon says
A very helpful article. Thanks very much.
I've been using Truvia but find it has an aftertaste that I don't like but wanted more information on Erythritol before trying it.
My Sweet Keto says
Hi, Simon. I'm afraid sooner or later everyone notices some aftertaste in every sugar substitute. Don't want to discourage you to try erythritol, though. But in the end, it's really the matter of what you can get used to and the amounts consumed. Lately, I personally prefer erythritol - monk fruit blend.
Simon Lintott says
Thanks for your reply.
I made some cookies with Erythritol as the sugar substitute and have to say they have far less aftertaste than those made with Truvia so I'm very happy.
My Sweet Keto says
Glad to hear that, Simon!
All the best!
Iryna says
Hmmm
I'm a little bit confused. On my pack with erythritol (mix with stevia) is written that it has 99g carbs (per 100g). Do I need to calculate this in my daily intake? Like, I don't think it needed, but...
Tisa says
These are mostly indigestible carbs. Consequently, they don't really count. In general, erythritol counts as 5g net carbs per 100g. Stevia doesn't add to net carb count, so don't worry about it.
Robyn says
Great article! Thank you!
And yes, I am using mostly erythritol. I find that stevia is too bitter, but will add it sparingly to a sweet treat every so often. Sweat treats are just that in my home, a treat maybe once a week or on holidays.
My Sweet Keto says
Hey, Robin!
Thank you for the feedback. I've been using erythritol/monk fruit blend as well (it is as sweet as sugar) but can't wait to try out monk fruit alone.
Bree says
Is it made from gmo corn or wheat?
Lisa says
No. It can occur naturally in some fruits and it can be produced by fermenting glucose with a certain yeast.
I don't think any food that's made from corn or wheat would be considered keto friendly