New sugar substitute sweetener Erythritol has almost no calories

No effect on blood sugar levels: Sweetener Erythritol has few calories
Sweet foods and drinks are usually not only unhealthy, but also quickly cause weight gain. The sugar substitute erythritol has almost no calories. However, the sweetener is controversial, not only because it can have a laxative effect on higher consumption.

Alternatives to white table sugar
As white table sugar is considered to be particularly unhealthy, more and more people are turning to alternative sweeteners that are supposed to be healthier than sugar. One of them is the sugar substitute erythritol. This substance was also approved by the EU for organic food last year. Although it has a lower calorie count than, for example, xylitol or stevia, it is still controversial.

White table sugar is considered particularly unhealthy. The demand for alternatives to sweetening is therefore great. A sugar substitute is erythritol. The sweetener has hardly any calories. (Image: Sebastian Studio / fotolia.com)

Not more natural than other sugar substitutes
The approval of erythritol caused rejection in the organic sector. "Erythritol does not go well with organic. The production is not compatible with ecological principles, "criticized Karin Wegner from the German Association of Natural Food Natural Products (BNN).

The production is made biotechnologically from carbohydrates such as glucose and sucrose. "In this case, fungi and yeasts play a role, which convert the sugar into erythritol," said Heidrun Schubert, nutrition expert of the Consumer Center Bavaria in a statement.

"The manufacturing process is very expensive. Therefore, the sweetener is not more natural to evaluate than other sugar substitutes, "said the nutrition expert.

However, it is often advertised as "natural sweetener" or "vegan sugar substitute" as a natural sweetener.

No effect on blood sugar levels
According to the Consumer Center, the specificity of erythritol is that the substance has no effect on blood sugar levels and almost no calories.

Foods containing erythritol (identified as additive E 968) must be labeled 'with sweetener'.

If the level of erythritol in the foodstuff is more than ten percent, the product must be labeled with the warning "May be laxative in case of excessive consumption". (Ad)