Erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol (polyol) used as a zero-calorie sweetener in protein bars, ready-to-drink shakes, and some powders. It is roughly 70 percent as sweet as sugar and is largely absorbed and excreted unchanged, contributing no calories or blood glucose impact.
Why It Matters
Erythritol does not raise blood sugar and is largely tolerated by people sensitive to other polyols. Compared to sugar alcohols like maltitol or sorbitol, erythritol causes far less digestive distress because most of it is absorbed in the small intestine and excreted in urine rather than fermented by gut bacteria.
Erythritol does have a cooling mouthfeel some find off-putting in chocolate bars. Recent observational studies have also raised questions about cardiovascular markers at high intakes, though causality is unclear. Use it normally, not excessively.
How to Spot It on a Label
Erythritol shows up in the ingredient deck and is broken out under Sugar Alcohols on Nutrition Facts panels. Many keto-friendly bars list 8 to 12 grams of erythritol per bar, which is why their Net Carbs come out so low.
Examples from real products
Related Terms
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