Home  /  All  /  Nutrition

What Is Erythritol and Is It Keto Friendly?

Written by
FACT CHECKED
  Published on April 13th, 2020
  Reading time: 2 minutes
  Last modified January 21st, 2023
is erythritol keto?

The keto diet restricts high-carb sweeteners, requiring sugar alternatives for anyone who wants to satisfy a sweet tooth. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that has become popular on the keto diet. But is it truly keto-friendly, and how does it impact blood sugar levels?

What is Erythritol?

There are many types of sugar alcohols, with erythritol being a favorite. Not only does it contain just six percent of the calories compared to real sugar but it tastes like the real thing. Low calorie and low carb, it is produced by fermenting grain products, typically corn or wheat.

Erythritol is convenient for those seeking sugar alternatives because it measures one-for-one when replacing sugar in recipes. It is crystallized and convenient, compared to other sugar replacements like stevia, which might be liquid or required in drastically different quantities.

Does Erythritol Spike Blood Glucose?

While xylitol, another sugar alcohol, does mildly raise glucose levels, erythritol does not. It doesn’t increase insulin levels, either. Research also found that when people ate real sugar versus erythritol, there was not a noticeable drop in satiety, so your body doesn’t know it got tricked into eating something ultra-low-carb. [1]

Erythritol doesn’t fully metabolize in the digestive tract, either. Even though it contains a small number of calories, they don’t really count since the body can’t break them down and take them in. [2]

Are There Concerns with Erythritol and Weight?

Because erythritol does not increase glucose or insulin levels, it is popular among people with diabetes or who are seeking to lose weight. It has also been widely used in the keto world because it is low in carbs.

For many, erythritol works without side effects, especially when compared to other sugar alcohols. Xylitol can cause bloating, gas, or digestive discomfort. Erythritol doesn’t get metabolized in the gut and primarily gets absorbed into the bloodstream—which is why it leads to fewer gastrointestinal symptoms.

While erythritol is largely safe and causes little digestive discomfort, there are a few downsides.

  1. Since it is fermented from corn or wheat, people who are truly allergic to these ingredients, while rare, may still notice digestive symptoms as a result. In people who are allergic, the tiny presence of these ingredients may lead to intestinal inflammation or other related problems. [3]
  2. Research on college freshmen found that those who gained the most abdominal fat had higher levels of erythritol in their bodies. This is significant because the body can make erythritol from sugar, but since it’s a new area of research, there’s not a definitive answer as to why it was associated with greater amounts of fat gain. [4]

Overall, erythritol seems safe to use with a keto diet, but as with most things, moderation could be essential to avoid undesired side effects.

Aimee McNew, MNT is a nutritionist and researcher who focuses on women’s health, thyroid, prenatal, and postpartum wellness. She has worked in private practice and written on nutrition-related topics for a decade and is the author of The Everything Guide to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (Simon & Schuster, 2016). She is currently working on her next book.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

As a Member, you get instant access to personalized meal plans, exclusive videos & articles, discounts, a 1 on 1 Coaching Session, and so much more. As a member, you join our mission of empowering 1,000,000 people to positively change their lives throughout the world. Get started today.

Monthly

A Great Deal
$ 19
99 /month
  • 7-Day Free Trial
  • Cancel Anytime

Annual

3 Months Free
$ 179
/year
  • 3 Months Free
  • Cancel Anytime

Lifetime

Membership for Life
$ 349
  • Lifetime Access
  • Limited Availability