Is Erythritol Safe? Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?

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One of the questions that I get asked fairly frequently here on the blog is, “Is Erythritol Safe?”

I’ve already answered the question “Is Stevia Safe?” and “Does Xylitol Cause Tumors?“, but today I’m going to tackle the erythritol safety topic.

IMPORTANT UPDATE – If you’re looking for information about the study that found a connection of erythritol to heart issues, head over to read this post on erythritol and heart disease.

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What is Erythritol?

Is erythritol safe? Read about erythritol's side effect and benefits and risks here.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol.  Other sugar alcohols are:

maltitol
sorbitol
xylitol
mannitol

You’ve probably seen these on the labels of sugar-free foods in the grocery store.

Erythritol is made by fermenting the natural sugar found in corn.

How to Use Erythritol

Erythritol is about 70% as sweet as table sugar, so when using it, when converting a recipe, you need to add about 30% more to the recipe to get the same sweetness that you would have otherwise. Alternatively, it can be, and is often combined, with other sweeteners such as stevia (or other, less desirable sweeteners) to enhance its sweetness.

It has a cooling effect on the tongue that you might notice. After eating it, your tongue might feel a bit cool.

I personally don’t use erythritol that much, but it’s a very versatile sweetener. It works well in low carb recipes particularly when blending it with other sweeteners.

Is Erythritol Safe?

There are a number of people out there in the internet world of information claiming that erythritol is not safe. Within each article, there are a number of concerns listed that, at first glance, are quite disconcerting.

When I saw people asking online about these concerns, of course I was alarmed. I don’t want to be using anything in my home that is damaging to our health. No one is perfect, and we can’t avoid everything, but I try to make the best decision for my family and keeping removing toxins from our home and diet is something that I work hard at.

I have to say, however, that even though there were a few things in these posts that deserve some notice, just as with the case with the articles on stevia safety and the mention of xylitol and tumors, there is a lot of nonsense out there about erythritol.

Frankly this is just another example of poor journalism meant to instill fear and get you to click on links.

Not OK.

There are articles out in the blogosphere making all kinds of claims about erythritol dangers and concerns about erythritol not being safe. In this post, I will touch on all of them.

Let’s go through the concerns that are out there about erythritol safety one by one.

Is erythritol safe?

1. Is Erythritol “One of the Worst Artificial Sweeteners”?

Some of erythritol’s critics say that erythritol is one of the worst artificial sweeteners out there.

However, there are other sweeteners out there that many people are concerned about, such as aspartame, saccharin, neotame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose.

Let’s talk about these other sweeteners.

Aspartame

First up is aspartame.

Aspartame is Nutrasweet and has been shown to kill brain cells.

I can tell you that I had horrid insomnia from that stuff–I used to drink a lot of Diet Coke when I was a waitress. I loved it, but….totally not worth it. I’m glad I got the insomnia because it was the trigger for me to get off of it and save at least a few of the brain cells I have left.

There are mixed thoughts as to whether or not there is a link between aspartame and cancer.

At 5.625 mg/kg (that would be, this sweetener has been shown to cause oxidative stress in the brain and memory issues.

Unlike other studies where they use a HUGE amount of sweeteners, etc., in the tests, this study did NOT include a lot of aspartame.

For a 125-pound adult, this would be 319 mg of aspartame, and there is 125 mg in a Diet Coke!!

No, thank you!

Neotame

Neotame is aspartame with a phenylalanine blocker.

It is for sure a pattern, but there are mixed thoughts on this sweetener as well.

Since neotame is based on aspartame, the concerns about aspartame would likely all apply here as well.

In addition, some believe that neotame is more of a problem.

Of course, others believe that there are really no safety concerns at all.

I think that you can come to your own conclusions about this one.

Sucralose

This is the main ingredient in the very popular alternative sweetener, Splenda ®.

The safety aspects regarding Sucralose are a little more complicated to determine.

First of all, there is a study where rats were fed 500 mg/kg of sucralose and it led to kidney damage.  One problem with this study is that it is studying rats and this is a LOT of sucralose.  As I pointed out, we are not rats, and our bodies should treat sucralose differently than a rat’s body would.

One odd thing regarding the amount of sucralose in this study is that some claim that researchers were using that amount in order to measure the effects of sucralose accumulating in the body.  The problem with that statement, however, is that there is other evidence out there stating that sucralose doesn’t accumulate.

There are also claims that Splenda alters gut bacteria. This is based on a study with mice.  The problem here, however, is that Splenda is NOT only sucralose. It’s sucralose with maltodextrin added to give it bulk. In fact, Splenda is 1% sucralose and 99% maltodextrin.

This would give a reason for the reports that I have heard of diabetics having reactions after using a lot of Splenda.  It might not be the sucralose, but the maltodextrin that is giving them a reaction!

I’m not pointing all of this out to say that I think that Splenda and sucralose are great alternative sweeteners, but just to say that the research is murky and I don’t know what to think about it, yet.  Overall I think it’s probably OK but I want to dig into the information about how it might accumulate first.

Acesulfame Potassium

This is another murky sweetener. There are concerns that it contains methylene chloride, a carcinogen. However, some sources state that at levels of 40 ppb, methylene chloride is undetectable due to manufacturing procedures.

There are also concerns that it causes cancer, with opinions on both sides of the aisle.

There is evidence that this sweetener stimulates insulin secretion in a dose-dependent fashion, so it might cause hypoglycemia.

I think there’s enough concern here to warrant avoiding this sweetener, especially for long term use.

Saccharin

There has been concern about saccharin being linked to cancer. Most sources seem to indicate that this risk is not real, which is good news for those of us who used Sweet N Low in our younger days….

However, there are endocrine concerns including how this sweetener can affect adipose (fat) tissues and the liver and pancreas as well.

2. Erythritol Is an Insecticide

There are claims out there that since erythritol kills insects, it is something that we shouldn’t be eating.

Is that true? If something kills insects, does that mean that it is dangerous for us?

Well, let’s think about that for a minute.

Other Natural Items That Repel or Kill Insects

How many of these “insect killers” do you use or would you consider using?

  • Diatomaceous Earth
    When sprinkled on bugs, diatomaceous earth absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate.
    Hmmm…there are loads of people who say that this is a great thing to use internally for parasites and killing off other bad stuff in your gut. I’ll leave that up to you, but it definitely isn’t fatal.  And there are loads of sites online saying that you can use this as a natural flea repellant for animals.  Clearly if you sprinkle this on your furry’s fur they are not going to dehydrate and die, because cats and dogs are NOT insects.
    And, news flash–we aren’t insects either!
  • Vegetable Oil
    This apparently isn’t good for bugs.  Of course, most of us know that eating a lot of vegetable oil isn’t great for us, but it isn’t going to kill anyone suddenly.
  • Cornmeal
    Cornmeal kills ants. Now, I don’t like eating a lot of corn, and really don’t like eating it when it’s GMO, but it’s not lethal.
  • Boric Acid (Borax)
    I have had different thoughts about Boric Acid over the years. In this post on borax safety, a guest writer talked about how she’s not comfortable with it.
  • Tomato Leaf
    Now, I don’t go and eat a bunch of tomato leaves or make a pesto out of them, but I’m not going to be worried if I happen to ingest some.  Turns out that tomatine is the substance in the green parts of the tomato plant that is toxic to bugs, but it’s not toxic to humans.

Look–we are not insects.  We also aren’t dogs, and just because xylitol kills dogs, doesn’t mean that it kills humans, and just because some sites online say that xylitol causes tumors doesn’t mean that it’s true.

Raisins, grapes and, chocolate are also a big problem for dogs, but most of us wouldn’t even think about not eating chocolate.

Does this make sense?  One species isn’t the same as all others, so the argument of “erythritol is an insecticide” doesn’t hold water in my book.

Saying that something has a use that is toxic to something else simply doesn’t mean it’s toxic for humans.

Don’t Drink Milk! It’s a Fungicide!

I know that there weren’t warnings out there about erythritol being a fungicide, but I’m including this information to illustrate my point.

Milk is a fungicide.  It kills fungus. Does that mean we should avoid milk for that reason?

So, let’s think about this.

We planted some grapes in our backyard this past year, and we’ve had issues with some fungus growing on them.

One of my online friends has a real live professional vineyard. So I reached out to her to ask what I should do. Her response was to spray the plants with milk.

Yes–milk.

So–MILK is a Fungicide!

Does that mean that we shouldn’t drink it?

Well, it’s a pretty inflammatory food, but its property of helping plants deal with fungus isn’t a reason to avoid it.

See?

3. Erythitol Often Has Additives in It

This is the same faulty reasoning that I pointed out in the “Why I Quit Eating Stevia” argument in this post on stevia safety.

In that post, I addressed the concern that other bloggers had made about stevia, stating that it should be avoided since there are often other things added to stevia, like maltodextrin, and the like.

This is pure silliness.

Other things are often added to meat and grains and even vegetables. Most people put salad dressing on their greens. Does that mean that we shouldn’t eat greens?

OF COURSE NOT!

For goodness’ sake, there are so many products with water as the base and LOADS of additives, but we don’t skip drinking water as a result.

If you want to use erythritol, just buy plain erythritol with nothing added!

4. Erythritol Causes Digestive Upset

In actuality, erythritol is supposed to be the most gentle of the sugar alcohols out there.

Due to its smaller molecular weight and configuration that differ from other sugar alcohols, erythritol typically doesn’t cause the gastrointestinal upset that other sugar alcohols do. Most of it is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine and excreted unchanged in urine. Studies have shown that erythritol is typically well-tolerated, even in large amounts.

That doesn’t mean that it isn’t a problem for anyone. It’s possible that it does for you.

If that is the case, just eat less of it. I know that for me, if I eat red meat very frequently, I get constipated. So I don’t avoid meat completely as a result, I just don’t eat it all the time.

5. Erythritol Is Often Genetically Modified

Again, this argument is nonsensical for the following reason:

So since corn and soy are often genetically modified, does that mean that you should avoid them? I know there can be other issues with those foods, but their GMO status shouldn’t necessarily be the determining factor in that.

Likewise, potatoes and zucchinis are more and more being genetically modified as this practice infiltrates much of our food system.

So should we not eat potatoes and zucchini?

Again, just. buy. non-GMO erythritol just as you would buy non GMO corn, soy, zucchini, and potatoes.

In fact, here’s an erythritol made from PEARS that resolves this problem easily.

6. Erythritol Might Cause Weight Gain

Food Babe cites this article, claiming it is evidence that erythritol is linked to weight gain.

The problem with this conclusion is that the article is that nowhere is it mentioned that the participants in this study ate erythritol! It’s about measuring their blood and in fact, they drank glucose!  The study states:

The exact interplay between increased erythritol concentrations in blood and the development of weight gain and fat mass is not yet understood, she said. It is not clear whether endogenous erythritol and/or exposure from food contributes to the erythritol-weight gain association.

So this is totally inconclusive.

7. Erythritol Can Lead to Overeating

One of the claims about low-carb sweeteners is that consuming them can lead to overeating.

Here is one statement about erythritol:

It [erythritol] does not metabolized [sic], and therefore, your body may not be getting calories or sugar. It’s also not registering that any fuel got put into your body at all. This is why you can end up still feeling hungry after you consume products with alternative and fake man-made sugars.

Well this doesn’t make sense if you are using erythritol as a sweetener in foods that have calories in them, like these Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Balls or these Almond Joy Bars. You are getting LOADS of calories with them. And they are YUMMY calories to boot!

One blogger point to this article to back up his statement about erythritol leading to weight gain. The problem is that that article doesn’t even mention erythritol. And while the article talks about weight gain with sugar alcohols, it doesn’t link to any support for that claim.

What it does say is that:

Weight gain has been seen when these products are overeaten.

Oh, OK. Thanks for that shocking bit of news.

Look–ANY food eaten to excess can cause weight gain. 

Pretty much–except for celery and such foods that use more calories to digest them than they supply to the body.

8. Erythritol Is Bad for Those with SIBO

Some websites state that erythritol is terrible for those with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), due to how irritating it is to the digestive system.

Well, I addressed that irritation above, but let’s go a step further.

According to the comment on this article, it’s more complicated than that and the author states that erythritol is allowed on his recommended Fast Tract Diet. I think it makes sense, if you have SIBO, to see how you do with erythritol and go from there.

9. Erythritol Can Cause Allergic Reactions

Seriously? We’re supposed to avoid erythritol because it can cause allergic reactions?

I’m sorry, but this is just laughable.

There are also rare allergic reactions to chicken and essential oils and meat and my son can’t eat most nuts and some other foods due to anaphylactic food allergies. Are people saying we shouldn’t eat those things because of potential reactions?

10. Erythritol Is Made from Corn

Benefits of Erythritol

Erythritol has many benefits, both practical, in terms of its usage, and some things related to your health as well.

Erythritol is:

  • Heat stable up to 160 degrees C.
  • Non-hygroscopic  – Erythritol doesn’t absorb moisture from the air, so you don’t get horrendous clumping issues (no jack hammer needed to break up your clumped sweetener!)
  • Non-caloric – Erythritol has zero calories, whereas most sugar alcohols have some calories.
  • Low / Non-glycemic – Erythritol doesn’t raise blood sugar.
  • Noncarcinogenic– Erythritol has been shown to not have cancer-causing properties. This is similar to xylitol, which I discussed in this post on xylitol and tumors.
  • An antioxidant – Erythritol has been shown to be an efficient hydroxyl radical (HO*) scavenger.
  • Good for Dental Health  – Though xylitol is famous for its contribution to dental health, erythritol has shown to be more beneficial than xylitol.

Erythritol has the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status from the FDA and is widely used around the world.

So though it sounds like erythritol is a fabulous choice for everyone, it is, sadly, the most expensive of the sugar alcohols to produce. For that reason, it’s not found in many commercial products and as a consumer, you might find this to be a problem as well. We buy our erythritol in bulk (actually, we buy almost EVERYTHING in bulk!)

Tips for Using Erythritol

First of all, as mentioned above, when selecting erythritol, buy a non-genetically modified source. That removes one of the health concerns about this sweetener.

Secondly, you can simply use erythritol as one of the sweeteners in your arsenal.  However, blending erythritol with other low-carb sweeteners like stevia extract or xylitol not only enhances the resulting flavor of your desserts, but it also minimizes any health risks that might be there.

Conclusion

Actually, I rarely use erythritol. I don’t like it that much since it isn’t that sweet and it’s pretty expensive. So my point in writing this wasn’t to support my erythritol habit. It was just to set the record straight on what is factual and what isn’t.

Given the evidence, I think that erythritol is a very safe alternative to sugar and other high carb sweeteners.  Yes, natural is best, but in the case of sweeteners and the health challenges that they cause (think about the diabetes epidemic!), I think that using low carb sweeteners in moderation is a much lower risk.

And for some of us, like those with diabetes and candida, or metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance, sweeteners like erythritol are a great way to be able to enjoy something sweet without wreaking havoc on our health.

Do you use erythritol?
Do you think that erythritol is a safe sweetener?

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53 Comments

  1. Since erythritol is excreted by the kidneys, is it a safe choice for someone with kidney damage?

    1. I’m sorry but I can’t medically advise. Please check w/ your health provider. Take good care!

  2. I am 32, an extremely healthy eater with a healthy lifestyle and I started using Non-gmo erythritol in my coffee (2 cups of coffee a day max) and within months developed major digestive problems. I tried think of anything new I had changed about my diet since I’m so consistent with my eating and that was the one thing. I eliminated the erythritol and within a week or 2 my bowel movements returned to normal and my stomach stopped making very loud noises. I followed that change with a 30 day Candida diet.

  3. Good article BUT I can speak from first hand that Erythritol can cause allergic reaction. I actually had anaphylaxis episode from consuming a monk fruit Erythritol combo last summer. It was vary to say the least and took several days in the hospital to flush it out of my system. With all altered substances one should practice caution when using these ingredients to determine one’s ability to use. Needless to say, I must now carry and EPI and read every label on any reduced calorie foods including protein powders, flavored drinks, etc.

    1. I’m so sorry that this happened to you! Of course anyone can be allergic to anything regardless of how uncommon it is. Are you allergic to monk or corn? so sorry!! I know what it’s like–our oldest has life threatening allergies to 5 foods. There could be hope–I have heard of some people getting over life threatening allergies. It’s rare but it can happen!

  4. Adrianne, this article is not only useful but incredibly thought out, fully researched n surprising facts!!! Thank you. Will share!!! Robin in pa.

  5. Hi! Do you have any information about how erythritol affects kidneys or kidney function (as I’ve read most of it is removed from the body via urination)? My father as End-stage renal failure and I want to make him one of his favorite treats, but I don’t want to rely on Splenda to make it. This sounds like a great alternative, but I haven’t been able to find any information about it regarding kidney health. If you have any information, please let me know!

    1. Hi there. I’m sorry to hear about your father. I just did a little research and didn’t see anything stating that it would be an issue but please do your own research including asking your physician if you are concerned. Hope he enjoys what you make him!

      Oh have you seen this sweetener? This is an affiliate link–we really love it and you can use it 1:1 for sugar. You can use code wholenewmom to get 20% off as well!

      1. If you look at the ingredients of the above monk fruit link. The first ingredient is erythritol. I was fooled also for awhile.

        1. Yes, it does have quite a bit of erythritol. I wasn’t making the claim that it didn’t have erythritol in it–I was providing a good Splenda alternative. I just updated the comment with a better link and a coupon code to save 20% as well!

  6. The biggest issue I see with this and any other PAID advertisement for anything other than a natural food is just that… a PAID ADVERTISEMENT!!! Are any chemically altered food or any other chemical substance good for the human body? If that were the case than how did the human race survive fir centuries without them?

    1. HiTammy–first of all, thanks for reading.

      I’m a little confused by your comment, however. Can you tell me why you think that this is a paid advertisement? I actually have almost never done any sponsored posts at all. I can think of maybe only 1 that I did in my whole time as a blogger. I did a few where I got a small product in exchange for writing something but I never wrote anything I didn’t believe.

      Doesn’t mean I won’t do any in the future, but I really haven’t done them. Does something in the post suggest otherwise to you?

      As for something chemically altered being good for the body, that’s a good question. In the case of erythritol, it’s a fermented food. Yes, it’s “man made” but then, so is sauerkraut. You can see a recipe for easy sauerkraut here: https://wholenewmom.com/recipes/easy-homemade-sauerkraut-recipe/

      And of course you could also consider that there are man made medicines that some people need to sustain life and those weren’t around for centuries. Many died without them.

      Hope that helps and would love to hear your thoughts on my response.

  7. What are your thoughts on research saying due to erythritol being a sugar alcohol it like sugar is not good on liver? And any research on kidneys and erythritol? Curious reader here 🙂

    1. Hi again–in fact, it’s sugar that is said to have these potential side effects. Thanks again.

  8. hi. i was thinking the math might be wrong. if eryth is 70% as sweet as sugar and you add 50% more than it should be 105% as sweet as sugar?

    1. Hi there. I wrote in the post to add about 30% to the recipe. Unless I’m missing something where I said differently? Thanks!

  9. I think that you need to check the most current research literature on Sucralose/Splenda where, after several dozen, double-blind experiments were run, found that it does mess with gut bateria, does lead to weight gain and does cause diarrhea. After using Splenda for three weeks, I’ve had the runs as if I had guzzled a gallon of Tijuana tap water! Also put on 10 pounds!

    I’ve thrown it out and started using a level teaspoon of Erythritol with a level teaspoon of raw honey for my morning cup of Joe. I’m also taking ProBiotics to help get back my good bacteria.

    1. Hi there. Sucralose or Splenda? Splenda has added maltodextrin, etc., which of course messes w/ bacteria.

  10. I agree with your take on Erythritol. It’s the only sugar alcohol I can tolerate and it tastes great. The only downside for me it that it’s expensive, but every individual has to judge the effects for themselves. A lot of things that will nearly cripple me for a week don’t bother some people at all. As far as the GMO question is concerned, is there any detectable difference in erythritol from GMO sources and that from “natural” sources? It the stuff is sufficiently refined, the answer should be no.
    Finally, I’ve seen some of the arguments you quoted against Neotame on the Mercola site and find them absurd (Mercola also screeches that part of the molecule is “flammable”; what do we eat that is not flammable?). “at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day” is one gram per thousand (or, 1.6 ounces for a 200lb man) every day. No one is going to consume that much of a sweetener that is 30 times as sweet as Aspartame. I believe that much nutmeg or cinnamon will kill you in a few days (Malcom X used to sell nutmeg as a hallucinogen when he was in prison). I have my worries about Aspartame; I cringe when I see people putting it in coffee, but I don’t worry about it in cold drinks that have not been left on the shelf too long. But I look forward to a switch to Neotame, with only one 30th the dose, it’s likely to be a lot safer.

  11. Thank you for putting the insect argument into words for me! Ive read that several times in relation to erythrol. It’s the main sweetener I use for my family. My partner cannot tolerate it, SIBO issues. My son who also has SIBO, much worse than my partner, has zero issues with erythritol!

    We get the gmo free one, have tried an organic one, but didn’t prefer the taste. My ONLY issue with erythritol is that it recrystallises :/ I also use minimal amounts of it, so find it tricky when recipes contain large amounts as I can’t replace the bulk iykwim.

  12. I do not believe that anything artificial is good for our health- I cannot see the logic in how it can be good for our health.

    1. Hi Ivan. It’s a fermented product. I personally eat a lot of fermented products. It’s actually not considered to be artificial. Does that help or am I not understanding you?

    2. Because a lot of people use white sugar in their foods and drinks and it is, by far, one of the WORST things you can ever put in your body. The harm it causes is well-documented with diabetes being one of them. Sugar has zero nutritional value and, because it is metabolized first, all of the good food you eat with it gets sidelined and sent out the southernmost part of the alimentary canal.

  13. Thank you!! I have digestive issues, and I rarely use artificial sweeteners. But my teenage daughter has Type 1 diabetes, and I just started using erythritol to make some treats for her that won’t spike her blood sugar. So, I’m so glad you did the research here and I can feel comfortable using this sweetener.

  14. I’ve been having a problem with heartburn and I’ve never had it before. I started using a product that is supposed to be stevia and erithritol, but stevia is listed second. I’ve been wondering why
    I have such heartburn. I will stop using this sweetener and see if I feel better.

  15. Hi Adrienne,
    Great topic! Definitely food for thought. I like the way you handle this often contentious subject with a good deal of common sense. Thanks so much for sharing with the rest of us!

  16. Thank you for posting this article! I have used erythritol for years, with no known bad effects. I do seem to build up a “tolerance” for it, and have to take an occasional break from it, though. Several years ago, I discovered organic xylitol and erythritol from globalsweet.com, and am glad to see that NOW has jumped on the bandwagon, too. I also buy in bulk, to get the price break and so I don’t run out. It’s so nice to have an option that doesn’t affect blood sugar or feed bad gut bugs!

    1. Hi Sue. Interesting – what do you mean by a tolerance? I have bought from Global Sweet as well. I’m talking to another company so that I can try their products and hopefully offer them to you all, if I like them. Hope it works out!

  17. I’m a naysayer when it comes to erythritol. Maybe it’s just my body chemistry but I know I can not tolerate it. I have tested it four times now, first two not knowing what I was doing wrong in my daily diet. The last two trying to prove or disprove my reactions to that particular substance. When I use it occasionally I end up with severe digestive complaints (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) with extended use. Weight gain, yes. I average an extra 15 lbs within one months time. Excessive cravings (for sweets, gotta have more sweets). Instead of an occasional sweet my mind craves sweets everyday, multiple times a day. Rash, yes. several parts of my body always breaks out with a rash, intense itching. Food becomes an enemy, even healthy food because you no longer want it. The body wants sweets, Sweets AND MORE Sweets! With each successive use of erythritol it leads to an utter downfall into major digestive issues. The downfall always came faster and easier each successive time I used it. That’s how I finally figured out the erythritol is what was causing my issues. It finally led up to major blood sugar disruption so I was having problems controlling my blood sugars in a reasonable range. So, yes. the symptoms you mention this Dr. Axe talks about, I’m a carbon copy of those symptoms plus even more. My take on it, sure it sounds good on paper but that doesn’t mean it necessarily will work for us all.

    1. Hi Kathi. Wow that really does sound like it doesn’t work for you! Thanks for sharing and glad you know what was causing the issues. For sure–every one is different!

    2. Those describe my reactions to sucralose (Splenda)!

      Perhaps you have a sensitivity to sugar alcohols or are suffering from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), lactose intolerance or celiac disease (gluten intolerance) and erythritol exacerbates the symptoms. When your intestinal lining is inflamed (for whatever reasons) , it doesn’t take much to make them more irritated.

  18. Hi. Thanks for sharing. And doing the research. It really is appreciated

    I know for me stevia is very bad and I react to it horrible. In addition, my chiropractor says stevia is bad for most people. I see that this sugar is from corn so the gmo part of it scares me. I would be sensitive to that just because of the gmo. Since most corn now is gmo, how can it be safe? i have also read that even organic stuff now may contain some gmo in it because it is everywhere and difficult to stop spreading and leaches in the ground Cross pollination cannot be controlled as nature has a mind of its own.

    1. Hi Chris!

      Thanks for reading and for the encouragement. So erythritol is from sugar but you can buy non GMO erythritol as mentioned in the post.

      I just put a link in to make it a little easier. I’m working to find a cheaper option for my readers as well :).

      It’s hard to know about organic corn but it is certified. One thing we are doing for our family is starting on Biome Medic, a product that removes almost 75% of glyphosate from the gut — it’s called the anti-GMO supplement. I am doing GREAT on it–it also reduced C Reactive Protein almost 75% which is HUGE. I have so much more energy. You can get $50 off a $75 order and then get 15% off your future orders, or 25% off if you order within 30 days by using code wholenewmom. I will be writing more about it soon.

      Happy to answer any questions about it. It does have wheat germ derivative in it, but the gluten amount in the supplement is very very small – way less than a serving of GF pasta, for example.

      Hope that helps!

  19. Thanks for doing this important research, Adrienne. There is always so much mis-and disinfo out there, it’s hard to know which direction to go. As an aside, let me share that when I prepare foods that include sugar, I automatically reduce the amount of sugar called for in the recipe by 25%. Depending on the food, I sometimes reduce it even more. I have yet to get a bad result, whether it be cake, quick bread, pudding…whatever. No one ever knows that the food *should* have been much sweeter.
    Keep up the good work!

    1. Thanks, Jana! I used to reduce by 50%, I think–that is, once I realized how much sugar was affecting me! Thanks for reading!

    1. Thank you! I admit, I’m always nervous when I see articles doubting the safety of things that I use, but I have to figure it out and make hard decisions if necessary! Thanks again!