Erythritol is an artificial sweetener that has been around for many years. In fact, it was first discovered in the middle of the 19th century. Due to the increase in diabetes throughout the United States there has been an increased interest in using it to replace table sugar. There are many benefits to using Erythritol as an artificial sweetener, with few side effects.

First of all, there is almost no calories in Erythritol. The calorie value when using this sweetener is low enough that the United States government considers it to be zero. Unlike sugar, this sweetener does not raise the blood sugar level at all, making it perfect for diabetics. It is also excellent for those on a low carbohydrate diet or anyone trying to lose weight.

Erythritol has been used in nations all over the world as a food additive for decades and there are no serious side effects. There have been a small percentage of people who have experienced minor effects from its use. These side effects include nausea and diarrhea. If you begin to use this sweetener and experience any discomfort, simply stop using it. There will be no long term medical issues regarding its use.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol and is related to other sugar alcohols such as maltitol. This sugar as well as others have a reputation for their laxative effect, but erythritol is absorbed in the small intestine and little of it makes it to the large intestine. It is in the large intestine where the laxative effect of a sugar alcohol occurs. It is rare for a person to experience any laxative effects from the use of this sweetener.

One downside to using this artificial sweetener is that it has been estimated to be 70 percent as sweet as table sugar. It is not a direct replacement for sugar, but you can quickly adjust to this sugar substitute that is slightly less sweet in order to improve your health. It doesn't cause tooth decay either, so your teeth will experience a long term benefit as well as the rest of your body.