The harmful bacteria in the mouth use sugar for energy. It’s in fact a type of low-digestible carbohydrate that includes fiber. It’s gained popularity in the U.S. more recently. The low-FODMAP diet can drastically improve digestive symptoms for many people. Although very rare, erythritol can cause an allergic skin reaction in some people, as demonstrated in a study published in 2000 in the Journal of Dermatology. Most of them function as low-calorie sweeteners in sugar-free or low-sugar products. When consumption is high (50 grams or more per day) then digestive upset, including gas, cramping, bloating, stomachaches and diarrhea become even more likely. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) Diarrhea is a well-known common erythritol side effect, although less so than with xylitol. Humans don’t have the enzymes needed to break down erythritol. It is found naturally in some fruits and vegetables and has a similar taste, texture and volume as sugar. Added sugar is associated with many serious diseases, including diabetes and obesity. Xylitol is considered a “sugar alcohol” because it has a chemical structure that’s similar to both sugars and alcohol, however it’s technically neither of these in the way we usually think of them. Related: Is Allulose Safe to Consume? Symptoms of poisoning develop rapidly in dogs after ingesting sugar alcohols, usually within 15–30 minutes of consumption. Fans of this sweetener mainly love it because of its lack of calories, which can be helpful for weight management. Erythritol contains zero calories and is generally well tolerated by people with digestive problems; erythritol may also be safe for individuals with diabetes. Monk fruit is still good for you but it’s important to be cognizant of this side effect. One study specifically showed that the intake of 50 grams of erythritol caused stomach rumbling and nausea. Make sure to buy stevia without additives. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. One common adverse side effect of excessive sugar intake is poor dental health, cavities and tooth decay. So is erythritol a safe and smart sugar substitute? Possible side effects of aspartame for example may include anxiety, depression, short-term memory loss, fibromyalgia, weight gain, fatigue, brain tumors and more. For some people, a group of carbs known as FODMAPs can cause digestive issues. Especially when consumed in excess, unabsorbed erythritol can attract water from the intestinal wall and cause diarrhea. Many people also choose it as their sweetener of choice because it won’t cause a blood sugar spike, which can be especially helpful for diabetics. The remaining 10% travels undigested down to the colon. Though erythritol is one of the newer sugar alcohols on the market -- xylitol and mannitol have been around longer -- researchers have done a number of studies of it in animals and humans. The low-calorie sweetener erythritol may seem too good to be true. That’s right — studies show that even though erythritol travels through your body, it doesn’t get metabolized. However, erythritol is different than the other sugar alcohols. Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol, just like xylitol. However, erythritol sensitivity may vary between people. As mentioned above, Erythritol was designed to avoid the vast majority of side-effects associated with other sweeteners, particularly other alcohol-sugars. While this is still a controversial topic with ongoing research, animal studies have linked consumption of GMOs with potential problems such as infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. Although there are non-GMO varieties available, much of the erythritol used in foods and beverages today is derived from cornstarch from genetically modified corn. Most of it gets absorbed into the bloodstream before it reaches the colon (3). Erythritol is a white crystalline powder with a clean sweet taste similar to sucrose. More studies are needed before any claims can be made about the health relevance of these findings. In other words, erythritol is keto-friendly because it doesn’t spike your blood sugar or insulin. Unlike other sweeteners, it doesn’t cause tooth decay. Also, unlike sugar, it doesn’t feed the bacteria that cause cavities. This is more likely to occur if consumed with fructose, and these particular side effects are especially common in children. Sugar alcohols pass through your body essentially untouched, much like dietary fiber does. 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