What Is Erythritol Made From?
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is derived from the process of fermentation, which is a chemical process induced by a yeast, mold or bacteria. Erythritol is a natural sugar substitute that is about 70 percent as sweet as sugar. It has been approved for use within the United States since 1997. Although pure erythritol is not sold commercially, it is found in many natural sources as well as used in many food and beverage products.
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Natural Sources
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Erythritol is naturally found in many fruits including pears, watermelon and grapes. However, because it is a sugar alcohol, it can be found in much higher concentrations in fermented items such as soy sauce, cheese, wine and beer.
Synthetic Manufacturing
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Erythritol is made by mixing a starch, usually corn starch, with water and adding yeast (usually the specific species of yeast used is Moniliella pollinis). The resulting sugar alcohol is then purified into a white crystalline powder that looks much like sugar.
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Used In
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Erythritol is most commonly used as a sugar substitute in items including chewing gum, baked goods and beverages. Erythritol has a cooling effect in the mouth, which makes it ideal for use in chewing gums. Manufacturers have tried to use erythritol as the sweetener in chocolate bars, however the cooling effect tends to produce an undesirable product.
Advantages
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Erythritol is the lowest calorie sugar alcohol available, with only 0.2 calories per gram. It has a glycemic index rating of zero, which means it does not raise blood glucose or insulin levels. This is great news for the increasing number of pre-diabetic and diabetic patients who must monitor sugar intake. Erythritol is noncariogenic, meaning it does not react with the bacteria of the mouth. Most sugars are broken down by the bacteria into acids, which cause tooth decay. Erythritol does not cause tooth decay and according to the Food and Drug Administration, it can labeled as not promoting tooth decay.
Safety
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Many sugar alcohols, including manitol and sorbitol, cause gastric symptoms including gas and bloating. However, because erythritol is not metabolized in the body, meaning it passes through the intestines and is excreted in the urine, it does not cause these symptoms.
According to the article found in Food and Chemical Toxicology, toxicology studies found that erythritol produced no adverse toxicological events. In addition, erythritol does not have any carcinogenic, mutagenic or teratogenic effect.
The Food and Drug Administration rates erythritol and food containing erythritol as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe).
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References
Resources
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