What brands of sugar substitute have erythritol in them?

Erythritol, a natural sugar alcohol found in some fruits and fermented foods, is a popular ingredient in many zero-calorie sweeteners. Wondering what brands of sugar substitute have erythritol in them? This guide explores the options available, from pure products to popular blends.

Quick Summary

Brands such as Truvia, Lakanto, Swerve, and some Splenda products use erythritol, a sugar alcohol that also serves as a bulking agent for other sweeteners.

Key Points

• Prevalent Ingredient: Erythritol is found in a wide range of products, including pure sweeteners like NOW Foods and in blends such as Truvia, Lakanto, and Swerve.

• Bulking Agent: Due to its mild sweetness, erythritol is often combined with more potent, zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit to add volume and texture.

• Versatile for Cooking: As a heat-stable sugar alcohol, erythritol works well in baking and cooking, providing bulk and a sugar-like texture to recipes.

• Possible Digestive Effects: While generally well-tolerated in moderate amounts, excessive consumption of erythritol can lead to digestive issues like gas and bloating.

• Read the Label: Always check the ingredients list, as many products marketed under other sweetener names (e.g., monk fruit) primarily use erythritol as the main ingredient.

• Used in Packaged Foods: Beyond powders, erythritol is a common sweetener in commercial low-carb and keto products, including ice cream (Halo Top) and protein bars (Quest Nutrition).

Understanding Erythritol in Sweeteners

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is naturally occurring in some fruits and fermented foods, but is commercially produced for use as a sweetener. It is approximately 70% as sweet as sugar but contains virtually no calories, making it a popular choice for low-carb and sugar-free diets. Due to its smaller size, it is better absorbed by the body compared to other sugar alcohols like xylitol, which often leads to fewer digestive issues in moderate amounts. Erythritol is often used in two primary forms within the sweetener market: as a standalone pure product or as a bulking agent in blends with more potent sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit.

Brands of Standalone Erythritol

For those who prefer a single-ingredient sweetener, several brands offer pure erythritol in various forms. These products are often prized for their clean taste and versatility in baking.

• NOW Foods: This brand offers pure erythritol in granular and powdered forms, emphasizing non-GMO sourcing.
• Health Garden: Health Garden provides an all-natural erythritol sweetener that is pure and simple.
• Whole Earth: This company sells pure erythritol, highlighting its use as a zero-calorie sweetener.
• Wholesome Sweeteners: They offer an organic-pure erythritol product, catering to consumers seeking certified organic options.
• Nutricost: This brand provides erythritol in pantry-sized options, ideal for those who use it frequently.

Sweetener Blends That Include Erythritol

Because potent sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, they require bulking agents to mimic sugar's texture and measurement properties. Erythritol is a common choice for this purpose, as it closely resembles sugar's physical properties and taste profile.

Stevia and Erythritol Blends

These popular blends combine the intense, zero-calorie sweetness of stevia with the clean, sugar-like bulk of erythritol to create a balanced product. Erythritol helps mitigate the slight bitter aftertaste that some people experience with stevia.

• Truvia: Marketed as a stevia-based sweetener, Truvia's tabletop products typically list erythritol as a primary ingredient, used for its sugar-like texture and minimal aftertaste.
• Pyure Organic: This brand offers organic stevia blends that incorporate erythritol to provide a balanced sweetness.
• SweetLeaf: While some products are pure stevia, certain SweetLeaf granular blends utilize erythritol.
• Whole Earth Sweetener Co.: In addition to pure erythritol, this brand features blends with stevia.

Monk Fruit and Erythritol Blends

Monk fruit extract is another powerful, zero-calorie natural sweetener. It is almost always sold blended with erythritol to create a cup-for-cup sugar replacement.

• Lakanto: One of the most prominent monk fruit sweetener brands, Lakanto uses erythritol as its main bulking agent.
• Swerve: This brand offers zero-calorie sweeteners with a taste and texture similar to sugar. While some versions use a blend of erythritol and oligo-saccharides, others may contain only erythritol.
• Monk Fruit In The Raw: Like other brands, this product relies on erythritol to create its granular texture.

Products Using Erythritol for Bulking

Some products use erythritol in combination with other high-intensity sweeteners, or other sugar alcohols, for different purposes. For example, Ideal contains a blend of sucralose and xylitol but may have formulations with erythritol as well.

Erythritol in Pre-packaged Food and Beverages

Beyond tabletop sweeteners, erythritol is a common ingredient in many low-sugar or keto-friendly prepared foods and drinks.

• Halo Top Ice Cream: This popular low-calorie ice cream brand uses erythritol for sweetness.
• Lily's Sweets: Lily's chocolate products are sweetened with a blend of erythritol and stevia.
• VitaminWater Zero: Certain varieties of this beverage line include erythritol as a sweetener.
• Quest Nutrition: Many of their protein bars and snacks are sweetened with erythritol.
• Rebel Creamery: This keto-friendly ice cream uses erythritol and monk fruit.
• Keto and Co.: This company's baking mixes and products frequently use erythritol.

Considerations When Choosing a Sweetener with Erythritol

When selecting a sugar substitute, especially one containing erythritol, several factors should be considered beyond brand names.

Taste and Aftertaste: Pure erythritol is known for a clean taste, although some people detect a mild cooling sensation. When blended, the flavor profile is influenced by the other sweeteners, such as the potential aftertaste of stevia.

Digestive Tolerance: Erythritol is generally well-tolerated in moderate amounts but can cause digestive upset like gas or bloating in some individuals, particularly with high intake. Products with erythritol are legally required to carry a label warning of potential laxative effects.

Baking and Cooking: Erythritol is heat-stable and functions similarly to sugar in baking, providing bulk and texture. However, it may not caramelize like regular sugar and doesn't brown as intensely.

Health Concerns: While deemed 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) by the FDA, some recent studies have linked erythritol consumption to potential cardiovascular issues. Though more research is needed, experts suggest consuming all sugar alcohols in moderation. Source: WebMD on Erythritol

Comparison of Erythritol Sweetener Types

Characteristic	Pure Erythritol	Stevia/Erythritol Blends	Monk Fruit/Erythritol Blends
Best Uses	Keto baking, coffee, tea	Tabletop sweetener, beverages	Tabletop sweetener, baking
Sweetness	~70% as sweet as sugar	Significantly sweeter than sugar	Significantly sweeter than sugar
Flavor Profile	Clean, sugar-like taste with a mild cooling effect	Sweetness with potential for mild aftertaste from stevia	Very sweet taste with no aftertaste
Primary Function	Sweetening and bulking	Providing intense sweetness and mitigating stevia aftertaste	Providing intense sweetness and acting as a bulking agent
Brand Examples	NOW Foods, Health Garden, Whole Earth	Truvia, Pyure Organic	Lakanto, Swerve

How to Choose an Erythritol Sweetener

Choosing the right erythritol-containing sweetener depends on your needs. Here are some tips to help you decide:

• Check the ingredients list. Even if a product is marketed as a 'monk fruit' or 'stevia' sweetener, check the label to confirm if erythritol is present, as it is often the first ingredient.
• Consider your use case. For baking where volume and texture are important, blends with erythritol work well. For simple sweetening of beverages, a pure product or a small amount of a blend may suffice.
• Experiment with brands. Everyone's taste buds and digestive systems are different. Try different brands to find which has the best taste and causes the least digestive discomfort for you.
• Start with moderation. Introduce erythritol and other sugar alcohols into your diet gradually to assess your tolerance.

Conclusion

Erythritol is a widely used sugar alcohol found in many different types of sugar substitutes, from standalone pure products to popular blends with stevia and monk fruit. Brands like NOW Foods, Truvia, Lakanto, Swerve, and even some Splenda products prominently feature erythritol. When choosing a sweetener, consumers should be aware of whether they are purchasing a pure erythritol product or a blend and consider factors like taste, baking needs, and personal digestive tolerance. By reading labels and starting with small amounts, you can find the erythritol-based sweetener that best fits your dietary goals and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What brand of sweetener is just erythritol?

Brands like NOW Foods, Health Garden, Whole Earth, and Wholesome Sweeteners offer pure erythritol as a standalone, single-ingredient product in various forms like granular and powdered.

Does Truvia have erythritol?

Yes, Truvia is a blend that prominently features erythritol. While marketed as stevia-based, the tabletop sweeteners use erythritol as a key bulking ingredient.

Does Lakanto have erythritol?

Yes, Lakanto is a monk fruit sweetener blend that uses erythritol as the main bulking agent to create a sugar-like texture and consistency.

Does Splenda contain erythritol?

Some Splenda products contain erythritol, particularly those in its natural or stevia-based lines. However, the original yellow Splenda packets do not.

What is the difference between pure erythritol and a blend?

Pure erythritol is a single ingredient, while a blend combines erythritol with other potent, zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit. Erythritol acts as a bulking agent in these blends, making them easier to measure cup-for-cup like sugar.

What are the common side effects of erythritol?

Common side effects of consuming erythritol in large quantities include digestive issues such as bloating, gas, cramping, and a laxative effect.

Is erythritol safe for baking?

Yes, erythritol is heat-stable, making it suitable for baking. It provides bulk and a sugar-like texture, though it may not brown or caramelize like regular sugar.