Erythritol | 1kg

Erythritol (erythritol) is a popular sweetener that resembles traditional sugar in taste and appearance. It is ideal for everyday use if you are cutting down on traditional sugar.

Using erythritol in the kitchen

Erythritol can be used in many ways that are not very different from how traditional sugar is used:
- to sweeten drinks such as coffee and tea
- for baking homemade treats and desserts
- to sweeten yoghurt, oatmeal and smoothies
- to make your own jams and preserves
- to sweeten fresh fruit, jellies and ice cream
- and many more uses—anywhere a sweet taste is desired

When using erythritol, always bear in mind that, unlike ordinary sugar, it does not preserve food. If you use erythritol to sweeten foods that you want to keep for longer, such as jams, make sure to use another preservative (for example, you could add vitamin C powder).

Many people find erythritol about 30% less sweet than traditional sugar. However, this is always subjective. Before using erythritol in a recipe for the first time, taste its sweetness for yourself.

Nutritional values and calorie content of erythritol

Erythritol contains approximately 20 kcal per 100 grams, which is very low compared with standard sugar (400 kcal per 100 g). This makes erythritol a good choice for people who want to reduce their calorie intake. The glycemic index of erythritol is 0 (the index for standard sugar is 68).

Erythritol is a polyol. Carbohydrates make up 99.5 g per 100 g of erythritol. However, they are hardly absorbed by the human body, which is why erythritol is low in calories.

What is erythritol, and does it occur naturally?

Erythritol (E968) is a natural sugar alcohol found in some fruits and fermented foods. It is produced by fermenting glucose from wheat or corn. It occurs naturally in foods such as mushrooms, pears, grapes, soy sauce, wine and beer.

Erythritol belongs to the sugar alcohols (polyols). This compound occurs naturally in certain types of fruit, such as pears and grapes, as well as in flower pollen, mushrooms, seafood, seaweed, lichens and fermented drinks such as wine.

Why erythritol?

Erythritol has unique properties that set it apart from other sugar substitutes. Its taste is often considered very similar to that of white sugar. It also has less of an impact on the taste of sweetened drinks than other sweeteners. In addition, it contains very few calories and affects blood sugar levels less than ordinary sugar.

Erythritol is also much better for your teeth than ordinary sugar.

Is erythritol suitable for people with diabetes?

With a glycemic index of 0, erythritol is suitable as a sugar substitute in various diets. It is widely used in cooking as a replacement for traditional sugar.

Is erythritol safe?

Yes, erythritol is generally considered safe by authorities such as the FDA and EFSA. It is not metabolised by the body and is excreted mostly unchanged.

It is the only compound in the polyol group that is mainly absorbed in the small intestine. It then enters the tissues, where it undergoes minimal metabolism, and is excreted in the urine almost unchanged. As a result, erythritol is not fermented by gut microbiota and does not cause the same side effects as other compounds in the polyol group.

Some people may, however, be very sensitive to sugar alcohols and experience mild digestive problems, diarrhoea or bloating. Start with a moderate amount to see how your body reacts.

Properties of erythritol approved by EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority)

Replacing sugar with the sweetener erythritol leads to a smaller increase in blood glucose levels after consumption.

Erythritol helps keep teeth strong.

Choose erythritol and enjoy a pleasant sweetness

Erythritol offers an excellent alternative to ordinary sugar, with a low calorie content and tooth-friendly properties. Try it today!