All About Erythritol
If you have tried other sugar substitutes and didn't like them you now have another choice. Erythritol is a sugar substitute but unlike sucralose and aspartame which are made from a chemical process, erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol. Erythritol isn't something new. It has been used in Japan since the 1980s. The USDA approved erythritol for use in the United States in 1990 after it passed their detailed reviews.
Erythritol occurs naturally in many different kinds of fruit. Things like pears, grapes, and melons all contain erythritol naturally. Erythritol is also found in foods that have a fermentation process like wines, beers and cheeses. In the course of a normal day pretty much everyone will eat something that contains a small amount of erythritol.
How is erythritol made? By taking a carbohydrate such as sucrose or dextrose, mixing it with water, and then fermenting it with a natural culture. The process is very similar to the way yogurt is made. Technically Erythritol is considered a sugar alcohol. But in many respects it is also very different from other sugar alcohols. This is because it has zero calories and none of the laxative-type effects that are sometimes associated with other alcohols.
Most of the artificial sweeteners available today are many times sweeter than sugar. The opposite is true with erythritol. It is only seventy-percent as sweet as sugar and in some tests has only been as high as 40-60% as sweet. That means people who substitute it teaspoon for teaspoon with sugar will either have to get used to foods that are not as sweet or add more erythritol. Keep that in mind if you decide to bake with this product. You can also mix erythritol with sugar or other sugar replacements.
The biggest difference between erythritol and other sweeteners, artificial and otherwise, is that it has zero effect on the glycemic index. That is sure to make it a hit with diabetics because both glucose and insulin levels will remain unaffected after use. In research tests, it was also highly tolerated, up to one gram for each kilogram of body weight.
Erythritol has some other benefits as well. It is absorbed into the bloodstream and then secreted in the urine. Studies have shown that ninety-percent of it is excreted from the body in urine within twenty-four hours. Because it moves quickly through the small intestine and not slowly like other sugar alcohols, there is much less chance of erythritol having the same laxative effects many people experience with sugar alcohols, such as isomalt, maltitol or xylitol. It also does not mix with acids in the mouth to cause tooth decay.
It is hard to find erythritol in supermarkets. It isn't something a lot of stores are carrying yet. But it can be ordered from health food stores and is most commonly available on the internet. Erythritol is very popular for baking, especially since artificial sweeteners don't work for baking. The only reason you don't see erythritol being used more is that it is expensive to make, so it stays more of a specialty item. - 17274
Erythritol occurs naturally in many different kinds of fruit. Things like pears, grapes, and melons all contain erythritol naturally. Erythritol is also found in foods that have a fermentation process like wines, beers and cheeses. In the course of a normal day pretty much everyone will eat something that contains a small amount of erythritol.
How is erythritol made? By taking a carbohydrate such as sucrose or dextrose, mixing it with water, and then fermenting it with a natural culture. The process is very similar to the way yogurt is made. Technically Erythritol is considered a sugar alcohol. But in many respects it is also very different from other sugar alcohols. This is because it has zero calories and none of the laxative-type effects that are sometimes associated with other alcohols.
Most of the artificial sweeteners available today are many times sweeter than sugar. The opposite is true with erythritol. It is only seventy-percent as sweet as sugar and in some tests has only been as high as 40-60% as sweet. That means people who substitute it teaspoon for teaspoon with sugar will either have to get used to foods that are not as sweet or add more erythritol. Keep that in mind if you decide to bake with this product. You can also mix erythritol with sugar or other sugar replacements.
The biggest difference between erythritol and other sweeteners, artificial and otherwise, is that it has zero effect on the glycemic index. That is sure to make it a hit with diabetics because both glucose and insulin levels will remain unaffected after use. In research tests, it was also highly tolerated, up to one gram for each kilogram of body weight.
Erythritol has some other benefits as well. It is absorbed into the bloodstream and then secreted in the urine. Studies have shown that ninety-percent of it is excreted from the body in urine within twenty-four hours. Because it moves quickly through the small intestine and not slowly like other sugar alcohols, there is much less chance of erythritol having the same laxative effects many people experience with sugar alcohols, such as isomalt, maltitol or xylitol. It also does not mix with acids in the mouth to cause tooth decay.
It is hard to find erythritol in supermarkets. It isn't something a lot of stores are carrying yet. But it can be ordered from health food stores and is most commonly available on the internet. Erythritol is very popular for baking, especially since artificial sweeteners don't work for baking. The only reason you don't see erythritol being used more is that it is expensive to make, so it stays more of a specialty item. - 17274
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While erythritol may be hard to find in stores, you can find and buy erythritol sweetener online.
posted by X - Men at
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