What is Powdered Erythritol

Last Updated on December 4, 2020 by TheMealPrepNinja

What Is Powdered Erythritol Sweetener?

Powdered Erythritol (also known as sugar alcohol), is a type of low-calorie carbohydrate that is used by people as a substitute for sugar. It has been in existence for as long as watermelon, peaches, pears, and grapes have been around. It is a component of the sugar alcohols commonly known as polyols. Polyols are found in both vegetables and fruits as well as in foods like fermented soy.

Powdered Erythritol Sweetener

Erythritol serves as a sweetener in the food industry, especially in foodstuff that have reduced amounts of calories, bakery products, and candies. Its use as a sweetener is because Erythritol sweetener is non-cariogenic (does not produce caries) apart from having low-calorie content. It helps in balancing the finished product in the food sector because of its color, texture, and flavor. It, therefore, serves in the production of sugar-free alternatives, reduced-sugar, and no-sugar-added products. It serves as a sugar replacement in chewing gum, beverages and chocolates due to its mild sweetness. Erythritol is common in tablets and granulated powder form.

Best Powdered Erythritol Sweeteners?

If you are looking for a different alternative to the traditional sweeteners, then it’s time to give powdered erythritol sweetener a try. Erythritol is perfect for baking and cooking. There is not reason to give up your favorite cookie recipe when you have this all natural zero calorie sweetener.

I put together for you a list of the best powdered erythritol sweeteners that you might want to try!

1. Sonourished 100% natural erythritol: 2.5 lbs/ 40 oz Non-GMO natural sweetener. 113 servings per container. Great value. This is a very popular sweetener brand.
2. Anthony’s confectioner’s Erythritol: 2 lbs premium non-GMO gluten-free powdered sugar alternative. Keto and paleo-friendly
3. Now Real Food Confectioner’s Erythritol: 1 lb organic powdered erythritol. This is a great choice if you are looking for an organic option.

Monk Fruit Erythritol Blend

You might be looking for and natural sweetener blend that has more than just one ingredient. The products below are natural sweetener blends.

1. Sonourished Monk Fruit Erythritol Blend: This is a great alternative if you do not want to only consume erythritol due to some of the side effects. Monk Fruit sweetener is also a great sugar replacement.
2. Lakanto Powdered Monk Fruit Sweetener with erythritol: Perfect for Keto diets, powdered sugar substitute, Non-GMO

Where does it originate?

Powdered Erythritol naturally occurs in some foods and can also be made when foodstuffs like cheese, wine, and beer ferment. Erythritol first became present in the Japanese market in 1990 after being isolated in 1852 as a natural sweetener. The Japanese approved the use of Erythritol in food in 1990.

The World Health Organization (WHO) followed suit and confirmed the safety of the sweetener in 1999. In the year 2001, the U.S. Food and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also acknowledged that Erythritol is a safe sweetener. Some of the Erythritol used in today’s market comes from the fermentation of corn or wheat using fungi known as Moniliella pollinis or Trichosporonoides megachliensis.

Is Erythritol sweetener safe and healthy?

Although Powdered Erythritol has recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Food and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), its use can be safe for some people depending on consumption rates and their tolerance to it. While it may help in reducing calorie consumption, other researchers argue that it may not be effective in lowering satiety or the intake of sugar.

Erythritol is known to cause discomfort in some people with side effects that included stomachache, diarrhea, headache, digestive upset, and bloating when consumed in excess. This fact makes the sweetener generally safe in moderated use.

Compared to other sweeteners

As compared to other sweeteners, Erythritol contains no calories or very few (about 0.2 per gram), and its sweetness originates from sugar alcohols. This factor makes the sweetener not to break down in the body, therefore, maintaining the insulin level. They do not feed harmful bacteria in the gut or mouth and are generally excreted through urine in an unprocessed state hence causing no harm.

The amount of calories in sugar is about four calories per gram. Other sugar alcohols like sorbitol contain 2.6 calories per gram while xylitol contains 2.4 calories per gram. These figures show how low Powdered Erythritol is in calorie content.

Is it right for weight loss?

A study recently conducted as of 2017, created a link between increased adiposity (a state of being morbidly overweight) and Erythritol blood levels in young adults. It suggested that the body created Erythritol from glucose and that this conversion was genetically more than in others. This finding left the question of how much Erythritol affected body composition. And if the consumption of food with Erythritol affected the structure of the body.

Erythritol sweetener contains the lowest content of calories in any of the sugar alcohols. This low concentration means that it may be able to help the substitution of sugar, especially in the cases of calorie-controlled diets to reduce weight.

Benefits of Powdered Erythritol

• It may help with diabetes – Erythritol, unlike other sugars, does not cause an insulin response or change the metabolism of glucose in the body. In cases where people have diabetes, the replacement of sugar with Erythritol caused an improvement in the blood sugar levels of the patients. This benefit is for both healthy and obese people.

• It is suitable for dental health – Erythritol is a potent sugar alcohol that is known to suppress the growth and effects of harmful bacteria. It also helps in the reduction of acids that can cause tooth decay in the mouth while reducing the formation of biofilm. Therefore Erythritol sweetened sugar-free sweets are considered safe for the teeth.

• It is an antioxidant – As an antioxidant, Erythritol is capable of quenching an oxygen species considered to be reactive. This oxygen species are chemically reactive and can cause damage to the cells. Erythritol was found in studies to have the ability to protect the blood vessels of rats that are diabetic against chemicals and the hardening of the arteries. This ability is the reason it is useful in diabetic patients.

• Fewer calories – Erythritol comprises of fewer calories for every gram than the other polyols. It contains only 0.2 calories for every gram.

• Suitable for a keto diet – Due to the deficient calorie level of the Erythritol, it is very beneficial if you want to follow a keto diet but still retain the sweetness in your drinks. It helps in the reduction of carbohydrate consumption.

Cons and side effects of Erythritol

• Gut problems – Erythritol that is not absorbed in the small intestines can lead to complications, especially with people who have bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines. It can lead to diarrhea, malaise, gas and irritable bowel syndrome.

• Allergic reactions – In some isolated instances, there have been cases of allergies, including anaphylaxis and hives, after the use of Erythritol.

• Potential insecticide – A test was conducted by a group of researchers in Philadelphia that resulted in dead flies after consuming it. The effect on the human body is not precisely known in this regards even though research is on-going.

• Can cause digestive problems – Studies have found that consumption of Erythritol in high doses of about 50 grams in a sitting, can lead to digestive problems in adults, including nausea and stomach rumblings.

Key Takeaways from Powdered Erythritol Sweetener

Erythritol is very good at serving as a substitute in lower-calorie diets, especially for those who are looking for a substitute sweetener. When consumed in moderated amounts, it is very beneficial, but when not observed, the side effects will become evident. It is, therefore, vital for you to follow the recommended dosage.

Powered erythritol is a great alternative to regular sugar and is a natural sweetener. Experiment around with the doses and if needed try one of the blend sweeteners like Monk Fruit Erythritol Blend. There are very popular options.

Great tasting recipes that you can use natural sweeteners

Try out our healthy meal prep snacks!

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Save