Erythritol is a type of sugar alcohol. The fermentation of wheat or corn starch produces sugar alcohol, which is a crystalline product people can add to foods for flavor in a similar way to sugar.
Erythritol occurs naturally in some fruits and fermented foods, while manufacturers add a industrially fermentated version to low sugar and sugar-free food and drink options.
People who are cutting calories for weight loss or monitoring their sugar intake may need to replace sugar in their diet. There are a variety of options to choose as sugar substitutes, both natural and artificial, erythritol being one of these.
Non-artificial sugar substitutes include sugar alcohols and natural sweeteners, such as stevia, monk fruit extract, and more. These options contain half or less of the calories of regular sugar.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved erythritol for use as a food additive in the U.S. in 2001.
People with diabetes manage their condition by following a diet that is low in sugar. Alternative sweeteners such as erythritol can make this easier by replacing sugar without sacrificing sweetness.
