Erythritol, a sweetener found in so many diet products, is something that we consume more often than we think. But is this sweetener actually safe, or is it secretly causing us harm behind the scenes? Are there any side effects of erythritol we should know about?
Today, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this alcohol sugar, including the potential side effects that many people suffer after consuming erythritol products.
And, if you want to avoid any potential side effects of erythritol, we’ll introduce you to a much safer, tastier alternative that won’t harm your health!
What is Erythritol?
Before we talk about erythritol sweetener side effects, what is erythritol? Erythritol, a sugar alcohol, belongs to the family of polyols and is chemically classified as a sugar substitute. It is found in fruits like pears, watermelons, and grapes, and in fermented foods such as cheese and wine.
Erythritol stands out for its sweet taste, resembling sucrose (table sugar), but without the added calories. This makes it an attractive option for people aiming to reduce their calorie intake or manage conditions like diabetes, at least that’s what we used to think...
What are the Side Effects of Erythritol as a Sweetener?
For many people, erythritol comes with some pretty serious side effects. In fact, a lot of us experience these health complaints without even realizing that erythritol is the cause! So, what are the side effects of erythritol? Here’s what you need to know.
Digestive Issues and Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Erythritol's unique digestive behavior can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal symptoms. Despite being absorbed into the bloodstream before reaching the colon, some erythritol may remain undigested and fermented by bacteria in the large intestine.
This fermentation process can result in symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, especially if you’re consuming a lot of erythritol. For some people, this erythritol sweetener side effect can be quite severe - we all have different tolerances and responses to erythritol.
Potential Allergic Reactions
Although it’s fairly uncommon, allergic reactions to erythritol may occur. Intolerance to artificial sweeteners symptoms and allergies manifest as skin rashes, itching, swelling, or more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing.
If you already know you have an allergy to other sugar alcohols, like sorbitol or xylitol, or you have a history of allergic reactions in general, it’s a good idea to avoid erythritol or be very cautious when eating foods containing it.
Increased Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
One of the biggest dangers of erythritol has only recently been identified. We now know that erythritol can significantly increase your risk of a serious cardiac event, like a heart attack or stroke.
Researchers found that people with high levels of erythritol in their blood were around twice as likely to experience cardiovascular events over a three-year follow-up period. Yikes!
Long-term Effects and Ongoing Research
The long-term effects of erythritol are something that we don’t know a lot about yet. Because erythritol has only been FDA-approved for around 20 years, and has been in widespread use for less time than that, we don’t really know how it can affect us long term.
There’s ongoing research into the effects of erythritol. Scientists are answering questions like is erythritol safe for kidneys, do we need to use erythritol substitutes, and is sugar alcohol bad for you. They’re also exploring the long-term side effects of erythritol - watch this space!
Should You Avoid Erythritol?
Of course, whether or not you choose to avoid products containing erythritol is completely up to you. That said, there are some alarm bells ringing around the safety of erythritol, particularly when it comes to the new research linking erythritol with serious cardiac events.
What are the side effects of erythritol in the long term? How safe is it for kids? Given that we don’t know everything we need to about this sweetener, it certainly makes sense to approach it with caution, limit your intake, and look for safer, more natural alternatives where possible.
Wave Goodbye to the Erythritol Side Effects at Oobli!
At Oobli, we’ve made it our mission to create delicious treats that are sweetened naturally, without the need for sucralose vs aspartame, stevia vs splenda, or sugar alcohols like erythritol. We just don’t want to take any risks with these sweeteners!
Instead, we’ve harnessed the power of nature to deliver a delicious, low-calorie sweet punch that won’t leave you feeling guilty or worried about side effects. But what’s the secret ingredient behind our clean, natural, delicious, low-sugar snacks? Sweet proteins!
How Our Products are Sweetened
Yes, you heard that right - Oobli uses sweet proteins to bring a natural kick of sweetness to our treats. Sweet proteins are compounds that are naturally found in tropical fruit, and can be an incredible 5,000 times sweeter than standard table sugar!
Because they’re so sweet, only a tiny amount is needed, making this sweetener virtually calorie-free, naturally! With the power of sweet proteins, we can create delicious low sugar drinks without artificial sweeteners, so you don’t have to worry about those nasty erythritol side effects.
Instead of potentially harming your health, there are actually benefits of sweet proteins. They’re safe for diabetics, have anti-inflammatory properties, and contain antioxidants. When we sweeten with sweet proteins, we actually make our sweet treats healthier!
Try Our Tea and Chocolate Today!
Whether you’re looking for drinks without aspartame or are just keen to avoid the many erythritol side effects, you’re in the right place. With Oobli, you can enjoy delicious sweet iced tea, containing just 7g of sugar per 16oz can.
Our refreshing tea is available in lots of different fruity flavors, and doesn’t come with that nasty aftertaste that most diet drinks have (if you know, you know). Plus, it contains just six ingredients and no refined sugar - what more could you want?!
While you’re stocking up on your new favorite low-sugar tea, don’t forget to check out our revolutionary chocolate. These creamy, decadent bars may feel like a guilty pleasure, but they’re actually 100% guilt-free!
Made from only clean ingredients, our low-sugar, high-fiber bars are keto-friendly and available in several different flavors that will visit you in your dreams. And, without the erythritol side effects to worry about, your gut microbiome will thank you!
Parting Thoughts on the Erythritol Side Effects
Unfortunately, erythritol side effects aren’t something you can ignore. With the risk of digestive issues, serious allergies, or even catastrophic cardiac events, it’s totally understandable if you’re looking to replace this artificial sweetener with a safer alternative.
At Oobli, that’s exactly what we’ve done. Thanks to the natural power of sweet proteins, we’ve developed clean, delicious treats that don’t come with erythritol sweetener side effects or the guilt of real sugar. Just natural, delicious, fruity sweetness!
Don’t put up with potentially harmful sweeteners - start protecting your health with Oobli today!
