Erythritol is a naturally-occurring sugar alcohol (polyol) found in many fruits and fermented foods. For mass production purposes, it is usually manufactured by fermenting glucose with a natural organism called Moniliella pollinis. Erythritol is a popular low carb, zero calorie sweetener, but it has a sweetness profile that is only about 60% to 70% as sweet as sugar. It does not affect blood sugar the way regular sugar does, because it is absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine and then excreted almost unchanged in the urine. Because of this, erythritol does not cause the gastro-intestinal distress that many sugar alcohols do.
Erythritol has a mouth-cooling feel when eaten in concentrated forms, but in many baked goods it is diluted enough for this effect to be unnoticeable. Combining it with other low carb and low calorie sweeteners, such as stevia or sucralose, helps to mitigate this effect and also helps to increase its sweetness profile.
The product "Erythritol" is used in many products such as soda, Vitamin Water, and is generally used as a replacement to sugar or some sort of sweetener.
The chemical formula for erythritol is C4H10O4. It is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a low-calorie sweetener in food and beverages.
I am a diabetic who has been using erythritol as my sole sweetener for three months. I have read a lot of the study literature about it. These are the "downsides" I have found. - Erythritol is expensive. I haven't been able to find it for less than 5 dollars (U.S.) per pound. - Erythritol is only about 70 percent as sweet as sugar. I find it tastes acceptable in all recipes as is, though. - Erythritol does not dissolve as readily in water as sugar does. Dissolving any amount requires more agitation and time, and not as much will dissolve in a given volume of water. - The "cooling effect" of erythritol is pronounced. This means that adding it as a sweetener to your tea will make it cool off faster. However, this is an "upside" if you are making cool drinks (you should dissolve the erythritol in your drink before chilling or adding ice). - Erythritol is not hygroscopic (does not attract moisture), so baked goods containing it are drier and less tender. Again, this is good if your baked goods require crispiness. - Erythritol seems to be unsuitable for making thick sweet syrups. I understand that using it in combination with polydextrose makes it "behave better." - Erythritol does not melt readily when heat is applied, as sugar does (for example, when heated with butter in a pan). - Erythritol is comparatively difficult to obtain. Cargill, the main producer in the United States, refuses to work with individual buyers buying on their own behalf for their own use. NOW Foods is the most reliable retailer. Emerald Forest's erythritol products are variable in quality and often have an "off" flavor. The flavor and ease of use is absolutely worth it, though. I can't stand stevia and won't touch artificial sweeteners.
Truvia sweetener is made from erythritol, stevia leaf extract, and natural flavors. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, and stevia leaf extract is derived from the stevia plant, which is much sweeter than sugar.
Truvia and a generic Walmart alternative brand (great value) erythritol & stevia based sweetener are available. Truvia is available in 3oz single serving packs, and Great Value is available in 2oz single serving packs. Only Truvia is available in bulk form (16oz). Pure erythritol is not available at this time. The Truvia is crystaline and consistently sized. The great value is more like clumps of a finer powder and dissolves more readily in cold drinks.
15 grams= 1 Tablespoon of xylitol
Truvia is made from the stevia leaf extract Reb A, erythritol, and natural flavors. Reb A is a sweet-tasting extract from the stevia plant, while erythritol is a sugar alcohol that provides bulk and texture. Natural flavors are added to enhance the taste of Truvia.
This animal -- a midge -- survives on and stores trehalose, glucose, and erythritol, which is not sourced in humans.
Truvia sweetener contains the natural ingredients erythritol, stevia leaf extract, and natural flavors. It is marketed as a low-calorie and natural alternative to sugar.
The bitter sugar in science is known as erythritol. It is a sugar alcohol that is naturally occurring in some fruits and fermented foods. Erythritol is low in calories, does not affect blood sugar levels, and is commonly used as a sugar substitute in food products.
Basically it isn't bad because your body can't absorb it whatsoever. You literally pee it out. It has no nutritional value but considering it is no calorie/ no sugar it works as a great substitute for sugar. In short it is fermented sugar. Works great for me!
My guess would be cost. If they're using high fructose corn syrup because cane sugar is too expensive, the same is probably true here.