Wellness

[occasionalrain]

I avoid artificial sweetners so I read labels. I was unaware that erythritol was one of them until I googled it. Had I known I would not have bought the item. 

Is it common knowledge that it's an artifical sweetener and has side effects?

[Icegoddess]

Yes, it is a sugar substitute although not really artificial.  It is synthesized from corn using enzymes and fermentation.  However it does cause GI issues in some people.  It's often mixed with other, extremely sweet sugar substitutes to make a product that spoons and measures like sugar, Stevia and Monkfruit to name a couple. 

[tansy]

It's a well-known sugar substitute.  It can cause gastrointestinal issues.  

[occasionalrain]

I read that it can cause blood clots, contribute to stroke and heart problems.

I should have posted sugar substitute. 

[bikerbabe]

Yes, and not a friend to my GI track. Messes with gut biome.

[tends2dogs]

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@bikerbabe wrote:
Yes, and not a friend to my GI track. Messes with gut biome.

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Does stevia also mess with the gut biome? @bikerbabe 

[Shelbelle]

We use Stevia and Sucrulose all the time but it is Allulose that upset my DH's stomach and he didnt like the taste. 

[Sooner]

Too many of these things cause me an almost instant terrible migraine so I only use sugar, honey, maple syrup, molasses. I won't touch any of this other stuff, including the stevia ones (which taste awful to begin with).

[CelticCrafter]

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@Sooner wrote:

Too many of these things cause me an almost instant terrible migraine so I only use sugar, honey, maple syrup, molasses. I won't touch any of this other stuff, including the stevia ones (which taste awful to begin with).

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@Sooner Me too, if it says sugar free I'm not buying it.  I find all that stuff to be nasty.  

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Erythritol is a perfectly safe alternative to sugar.  It's very low in calories and will not spike blood sugars or insulin.  Erythritol actually occurs naturally in some fruits and our bodies can make it, albeit in low levels. It can cause stomach distress when consumed in large amounts.  There is currently no proof that it's a dangerous substance or contributing factor in cardiovascular disease.