Some of us is not surprised by the benefits of Erythritol. Erythritol is is one kind of sugar alcohol or polyol that has been approved for use as food additives in the United States and other countries. Erythritol is a major source of some fruits and fermented foods. Naturally, Erythritol contained in soy sauce, sake, wine, grapes, pears, and watermelons. This is why, Erythritol is regarded as a natural sugar substitute. Sweetness level of Erythritol is able to achieve 60% to 70% compared to other sugars. Moreover, almost no calories, does not affect to blood sugar does not cause tooth decay and partly absorbed by the body, is excreted in feces and urine. One major advantage of Erythritol is does not cause gastric side effects than other sugar alcohols.
Erythritol is a white crystalline powder with a clean sweet taste similar to sucrose. It is about 70% as sweet as sucrose and flows easily due to the non-hygroscopic character. As other polyols, erythritol does not cause tooth decay and it is safe for diabetics. Erythritol is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine and rapidly eliminated by the body within 24 hours.
Good Side Effects of Erythritol
Various surveys and studies have shown that Erythritol is safe for consumption as an alternative sugar. Sugar is something we couldn’t leave because it has an important in our life. But, sugar also have an bad effects that we have to prevent. Erythritol can be alternative to reduce sugar’s bad effects. Even some facts indicate that Erythritol has some good effects if consumed. As follows:
- Erythritol does not contain the glycemic index, so it does not increase the risk of diabetes. In addition, it is also considered to be suitable for diabetics because it does not raise plasma glucose or insulin levels.
- Erythritol does not contain calories, like most sugar alcohols are low in calories. So, it is goor for alternative sugar for people who in diet program.
- Erythritol can act as an antioxidant and responsible for the aging process as it helps fight free radicals This is because Erythriol is easily absorbed and does not interfere with the metabolic processes in the human body as compared to other sugar alcohols.
- Erythritol is usually made by the fermentation of natural sugars that found in corn. While we know that corn has many benefits besides good for diabetes, it is also good for the bones.
- Erythritol does not have carcinogenic properties. Various studies have shown that Erythritol does not possess carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic. Carcinogens are substances that cause cancer by altering the deoxyribonucleic acid within the cells of the body, and it disrupt biological processes. Carcinogenic settle and damage the lungs. So the lungs become perforated and can cause cancer.
- Erythritol easy to digest, low in calories and sweetness that exceeds the usual sugar cause indigestion easier to absorb sugar alcohol. 90 percent of erythritol is absorbed in the small intestine and excreted largely in the urine.
- Erythritol Have thermal stability up to 160 C.
- In 1994 a Japanese study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that examines five healthy male volunteers aged around 45-58 years were asked to consume Erythritol. As a result, Erythritol does not increase serum glucose or insulin levels. it is also found that erythritol did not induce a significant effect on serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol or free fatty acids.
- Erythritol did not cause tooth decay. One of the important advantages of erythritol is that it does not cause tooth decay. This was demonstrated in a study at 1992 entitled “Noncariogenicity of erythritol as a substrate. Harmful bacteria in the mouth we can use the sugar for energy to help them grow and multiply and erode our teeth. But erythritol is different; it can not be metabolized by oral bacteria, and does not cause cavities.
- The sweet taste without aftertaste Erythritol thus not contribute to the formation of dental caries.
Bad Side Effects of Erythritol
If you hear the food is listed as “sugar free” or “no sugar added” it may seem unpleasant for those of you that trying to reduce sugar, have diabetes or follow a low-carb diet to lose weight. Sweet foods like this, usually use sugar alcohols such as erythritol, which tastes like sugar but contains almost zero calories, even sweeter than cane sugar. So it is healthier for people who in a xiet programs.
Although sugar alcohols have some advantages like almost no calories, it does not cause blood sugar spikes and does not cause tooth decay, but it also has some disadvantages. Erythritol can cause side effects such as:
- Digestive problems. Consuming more than 50 grams of erythritol may cause nausea or stomach rumbling. Diarrhea, headache, and abdominal pain in some people when consumed in large doses. We should aware about our consumption.
- Some people report side effects such as abdominal pain, headache and diarrhea after consuming excessive amounts of erythritol. The amount that can cause symptoms very greatly based on individual tolerance. Even a small amount of sugar alcohol can interfere with the stomach for some individuals, while others can tolerate a higher amount before they are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Triggering obesity. When eating, the body releases hormones that reduce your appetite. but this is different from erythritol that does not give effect to the body. because sugar alcohols largely undigested through the body, the body will not have the same satiate signal as you would with a conventional sweet foods. This means you will continue to feel hungry even after consuming erythritol. In contrast to sugar from another source, this will certainly lead to obesity.
- causing cramping in the abdomen. Because sugar alcohols can be fermentation in the gut, and are not fully absorbed, thus imposing “passive diffusion” in the large intestine; in larger quantities, can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea, painful cramps plus in many individuals with only a small amount.
- Not recommended for those who have digestive problems. For anyone who has digestive problems such as IBS, Crohn’s, colitis, constipation, etc., in the case. Should not consume Erythritol. Because it can made your ill becoming worse.
- Causing addiction. Sugar alcohol is better than artificial sweeteners for those who need to avoid glycemic load, but we need to rid ourselves of addiction to sweet taste on the tongue.
- Sugar alcohols can cause metabolic acidosis that can cause acid reflux and an increased risk of cancer of the larynx. It is slso promotes dehydration and loss of electrolytes, creating a feeling of excessive thirst.
Result of erythritol Side Effect
Erythritol has several advantages compared to sugar from other sources. Almost no calories, does not cause tooth decay and do not spike blood sugar and does not damage the teeth.
However, the excessive consumption can cause digestive problems: do not consume more than 50 grams of erythritol. Besides, Erythritol does not cause stomach feels full so that it remains triggers hunger and obesity. Moreover, most foods that use sugar alcohols as sweeteners they contain carbohydrates, fat and calories significantly. If you choose foods sweetened with sugar alcohols for reasons of weight loss, you are probably not going to give yourself an advantage.
Erythritol Comparison With Other Types Of Sugar
Erythritol is having Chemical formula as follows:
- Chemical formula: C4H10O4
- Molar mass: 122.12 g
Have a nutrition facts (for one teaspoon of 4g), as follows when compared to other sugar alcohols and sugar cane:
- Erythritol (made from corn) has 0.8 cal, 4 g carbohydrates, the glycemic index = 0
- xylitol (made from xylan, birch bark, may each contain sweetener birch bark) have a 10 cal, 4 g carbohydrates, the glycemic index = 7
- Sorbitol (made from glucose) has 8 cal, 4 g carbohydrates
- Mannitol has (of lactose) has 6.4 cal, glycemic index = 0
- lactitol have (from lactose) has 8 cal, glycemic index = 6
- Isomalt (from sucrose) has 9 cal, glycemic index = 9
- Maltitol (of glucose) has 10.8 cal, the glycemic index = 36
- maltitol syrup (glucose syrup) have a 12 cal, glycemic index = 52
- for contrast, here sucrose (table sugar) has a 16 cal, 4 g carbohydrates, the glycemic index = 65 (glucose = 100)
With nutrition as above, the sweetness level of each sugar is also different. Here’s a list the sweetness level of sugar:
- Erythritol (tetrosa alcohol) has a sweetness level of 75-85% of the sucrose
- Neosugar (Frukto- oligosaccharides) have a level of 30-60% of the sucrose sweetness
- Galakto-oligosaccharides have a level of 20-40% of the sucrose sweetness
- Xylo- oligosaccharides have a sweetness level of 50% of the sucrose
- Isomalto- oligosaccharides have a sweetness level of 50% of the sucrose
- Soybean oligosaccharides have a sweetness level of 70% of the sucrose
- Laktosukrosa has a sweetness level of 30-60% of the sucrose
- Lactulose has a sweetness level of 60-70% of the sucrose
- Coupling sugar has a sweetness level of 50-60% of the sucrose
- Palatinosa have a level of 37-45% of the sucrose sweetness
- Maltitol has a sweetness level of 80-95% of the sucrose
- lactitol has a sweetness level of 30-40% of the sucrose
- Palatinit (sorbitol and mannitol, 1: 1) have a level of 30-40% of the sucrose sweetness
- Sorbitol (hexose alcohol) has a sweetness level of 60-470% of the sucrose
- Mannitol (hexose alcohol) has a sweetness level of 50% of the sucrose.
That is all what we can disscused about Erythritol in our chances today. I hope you can get an important information about Erythritol and use it in our life. We have to know the side effects of Erythritol so we can use it wisely. The excessive consumption can cause digestive problems. It is important to limit our consume maximum 50 grams of erythritol. Besides, Erythritol does not cause a stomach feels full so that it remains triggers hunger and obesity