Erythritol...the Deceptively Healthy Sugar Substitute

As the holiday season draws near, we all try to find ways to enjoy the food without the consequences of eating it. The danger here is the misleading advertisements that tempt you with low or zero-sugar items and even low glycemic index sugars. Many of us have heard about the perils of aspartame, but that is not the only harmful sugar substitute. Erythritol is another artificial sweetener that is commonly found in sports drinks, energy drinks, and chocolate bars. It boasts zero calories and zero effect on your blood sugar. However, the downsides to it are hardly discussed. It is made from man-made GMO cornstarch, so it is an ultra-processed food. Not only is it a GMO, but it is also often combined with other artificial sweeteners. It can cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and are even more severe for children. Erythritol may even cause allergic reactions on your skin. So, while the “zero”s are appealing, especially when we are all consuming extra sweets, they come with their own set of issues. There’s even less reason to consume erythritol when there are so many healthier sugar substitutes at our disposal like stevia, raw honey, and monk fruit. These are substitutes that also do something for our health. What we consume should not just pass through us unnoticed, it should benefit our bodies.