As a growing number of Americans and people in other developed countries experience health problems due to poor weight management, the market for sugar substitutes has increased significantly. Erythritol artificial sweeteners are among the most popular alternatives to sugar. They are used primarily by bakery businesses and restaurants and for cooking at home. In this post, we’ll share more about what erythritol is, the pros and cons of this sugar alcohol, and what are its applications. If you’re interested in the sugar and sweeteners sector, check out our resources on sugar shipping and where to buy wholesale sugar.
Key takeaway: Erythritol is one of the most popular sweeteners. It’s very low in calories and is a healthy alternative to sugar. Erythritol is primarily used in baking and cooking but it also has applications in other industries.
What Is Erythritol
Erythritol is a sweetener that is an alternative to sugar. It is from the group of so-called sugar alcohols. Erythritol artificial sweeteners are very popular among keto recipes, diabetic-friendly meals, and various low-carb diets. In fact, many sugar wholesale suppliers also offer bulk erythritol, stevia, and other sweeteners.
Erythritol artificial sweeteners are not as sweet as regular sugar. In terms of calories, it contains around 0.2 calories per gram (that’s around 20 times less than white and brown sugar). However, since the body doesn’t metabolize erythritol like sugar, it has a glycemic index of zero and it doesn’t raise blood sugar levels.
Erythritol is primarily manufactured by fermenting glucose with yeast. It’s a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in pears, mushrooms, grapes, and fermented food. The reason why erythritol artificial sweeteners are not considered as natural as stevia or monk fruit sweeteners is because they are in much higher concentrations than naturally occurring.
Applications of Erythritol Artificial Sweeteners
Just like other sugar alternatives, erythritol has various uses. Let’s examine the main ones.
- Cooking. Various sugar-free dessert recipes use erythritol artificial sweeteners. The mild sweetness of this sugar alcohol makes it an excellent option for making keto cookies, diabetic-friendly pastries, and other foods.
- Making fruit preserves. Traditionally, sugar is added when making jams and jellies. However, in order to cut calories, people might use erythritol instead of regular sugar.
- Pet treats. Pet cakes and treats are made with artificial sweeteners like erythritol.
- Pharmaceutical uses. The flavor of cough syrups is often improved with sugar. In order to make it sugar-free, pharmaceutical companies can use erythritol. It can also be used in pills’ coating and toothpaste.
Pros and Cons of Erythritol Artificial Sweeteners
Wholesale distribution companies that sell sugar also offer various alternatives. That’s because of the multiple benefits of erythritol artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes. However, they also have cons that we’ll go through in the next paragraphs.
The main benefit of erythritol is that it’s a low-calorie alternative to sugar. This makes it a great ingredient for making diabetic-friendly desserts. Unlike sugar, honey, and other sweeteners, it’s also tooth-friendly and doesn’t cause cavities. Erythritol is often blended with stevia or other sweeteners to improve its organic taste. Compared to xylitol or sorbitol, it’s easy to digest and has a lower chance of causing gas or bloating.
The main cons of erythritol artificial sweeteners include its potential to cause digestive problems if consumed in large amounts and its flavor. Eating more than 30 grams of erythritol can cause bloating and gas because our bodies can’t properly metabolize it. Digestive issues are even more common in other sugar alcohols. Another disadvantage of erythritol artificial sweeteners compared to regular sugar or other alternatives is the aftertaste. Erythritol has a slightly cool flavor that is similar to mint. This means it can change the taste of pastries or other dishes.
Erythritol VS Sugar and Other Alternatives
Erythritol is an excellent alternative to sugar, honey, stevia, or artificial sweeteners like aspartame. It can be used in various recipes and can be mixed with other sweeteners. The retail and wholesale prices of erythritol are affordable. However, since aspartame is usually cheaper, it has more industrial applications. High-fructose corn syrup is also cheaper compared to erythritol and is primarily used in soft drinks, but it’s not low-carb.
Choosing erythritol is better if you want to bake diabetic-friendly desserts or follow a keto diet. The minty aftertaste of this sugar alcohol can be reduced by combining it with stevia or other sweeteners.
On the other hand, if you want to achieve caramelization or wish to get an authentic flavor, it might be best to use granulated or powdered sugar. Allulose is a low-carb alternative to sugar that can be caramelized and it also has a very similar taste to regular sugar.
Although erythritol artificial sweeteners have become very popular, many business owners prefer to use sugar so that their products are more natural. Companies that wish to reduce the cost of goods sold use high-fructose corn syrup or aspartame as alternative sweeteners.
Frequently Asked Questions about Erythritol Artificial Sweeteners
From information about increasing wholesale sales to resources about wholesale food products, you’ll find plenty of useful articles on BlueCart’s website. Below we’ve shared the answers to some common questions regarding erythritol, one of the most popular products in the sweeteners niche market.
Is Erythritol Safe?
Yes. Erythritol artificial sweeteners are considered to be among the safest options on the market. They are approved by health authorities such as the FDA and the World Health Organization. With less than 1 calorie per gram, erythritol doesn’t result in blood sugar spikes and can be used in diabetic and low-carb keto diets. An additional benefit of erythritol artificial sweeteners is that they don’t cause tooth decay. The main concerns related to erythritol products are potential digestive problems if consumed in large amounts. That’s why, even though it’s a low-calorie sweetener, moderate consumption is advised.
What Are the Healthiest Sugar Substitutes?
There are three categories of sugar substitutes – natural ones, artificial sweeteners, and sugar alcohols. Stevia and monk fruit sweeteners are among the healthiest sugar substitutes. They are derived from plants and have zero calories. Xylitol and erythritol artificial sweeteners are also good alternatives to regular sugar. They are sugar alcohols that are very low in calories. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame sucralose (associated primarily with the brand name Splenda) are universally used among manufacturers of soft drinks, desserts, and processed foods. Their affordable price makes them a preferred choice for industrial producers but stevia and monk fruit sweeteners are a healthier alternative used by cooking enthusiasts and the restaurant industry.
Are Artificial Sweeteners Unhealthy?
Generally speaking, artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes are not considered to be unhealthy. However, besides the multiple benefits of artificial sweeteners, there are some concerns as well. The main ones are related to studies that show certain artificial sweeteners (sucralose and saccharin) may alter gut bacteria. Sweeteners, even zero-calorie ones, can also cause cravings and overeating issues. In short, when used in moderation, sugar substitutes like erythritol artificial sweeteners or aspartame are unlikely to cause health problems to consumers.
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