Erythritol
The Zero-Calorie Natural Sugar Alcohol Powering Clean Label Low-Glycemic Sweetness
Product Specifications
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Item
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Specification
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Product Name
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Erythritol
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Abbreviation
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Zero Calorie Natural Sugar Alcohol
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CAS Number
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149-32-6
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Molecular Formula
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C₄H₁₀O₄
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Molecular Weight
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122.12
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Appearance
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White to Off-White Crystalline Granule or Fine Powder
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Assay
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≥99%
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Test Method
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HPLC
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Shelf Life
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24 Months
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Storage Condition
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Store in a Cool, Dry Place, Sealed Away from Excess Moisture
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Why Is Erythritol So Popular?
The growing popularity of Erythritol is closely linked to the global booming zero-sugar food trend, alongside rising consumer demand for natural, clean label, zero-calorie sweeteners with no unpleasant aftertaste. As a naturally occurring 4-carbon sugar alcohol widely found in fermented foods, fruits and mushrooms, Erythritol delivers irreplaceable functional benefits that meet modern low-sugar consumption needs, playing essential roles in:
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Zero-calorie natural sweetening for zero-sugar products
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Ultra-low glycemic response that does not spike blood sugar
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Dental cavity prevention for oral health
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Clean label positioning for plant-derived formulations
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Stable performance across wide processing scenarios
Research shows that the global population's demand for reducing added sugar intake has surged in recent years, but many traditional artificial sweeteners carry off-flavors or negative consumer perception. As a sugar substitute that 90% is directly absorbed and excreted through urine without participating in body metabolism, Erythritol has become a cornerstone ingredient of the modern zero-sugar beverage, low-calorie food and diabetic-friendly wellness product categories.
Key Benefits of Erythritol
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1. Delivers Zero Calorie Sweetness Without Metabolism
Erythritol provides 70% of the sweet taste of regular sucrose, with no bitter or artificial aftertaste, and contains 0 calories per gram. Unlike other sugar alcohols, nearly 90% of ingested Erythritol is directly excreted through urine without being broken down for energy, achieving real zero-calorie status that perfectly supports consumers' weight management and low-calorie diet goals.
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2. Triggers Almost Zero Glycemic and Insulin Response
Erythritol does not raise blood glucose or insulin levels after consumption at all, making it an ideal sweetener choice for diabetic populations and consumers who need to maintain stable blood sugar, far more friendly to metabolic wellness than regular sucrose and many other sugar substitutes.
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3. Effectively Prevents Dental Cavities
Oral cariogenic bacteria cannot ferment and utilize Erythritol to produce enamel-eroding acidic metabolites. Long-term proper intake of Erythritol helps reduce the reproduction of harmful bacteria in the mouth, effectively preventing the formation of dental caries and supporting long-term oral health.
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4. Features Ultra-High Digestive Tolerance
Compared with other sugar alcohols such as Xylitol and Sorbitol that easily cause bloating and diarrhea at moderate intake, Erythritol has the highest digestive tolerance in the sugar alcohol family, almost no gastrointestinal discomfort even at normal daily consumption levels, suitable for all age groups including children.
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5. Aligns Perfectly With Clean Label Zero-Sugar Formulation Requirements
As a natural fermented plant-derived ingredient, Erythritol fully meets the fast-growing market demand for transparent, recognizable clean label zero-sugar ingredients, helping brands easily build trustworthy, healthy zero-sugar product images.
Applications
Erythritol is widely used across multiple fast-growing product categories, including:
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Zero-Sugar Carbonated and Functional Beverages
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Low-Calorie Confectionery and Chocolate Products
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Diabetic Friendly and Low Glycemic Food Lines
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Zero-Sugar Baked Pastry and Desserts
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Sugar-Free Chewing Gum and Oral Care Products
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Meal Replacement and Low Calorie Nutritional Powders
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Plant Based Zero-Sugar Dairy and Yogurt Products
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Daily Zero-Calorie Household Sweeteners
Common dosage forms include:
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Crystalline Granules
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Fine Powder Blends
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Zero-Sugar Beverages
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Chocolate and Candy
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Baked Goods
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Nutritional Powders
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Chewing Gum
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Tabletop Sweetener Sticks
Erythritol vs Other Low-Sugar Sweeteners
While the zero-sugar category continues to expand, Erythritol remains one of the most recognizable natural zero-calorie sweeteners on the market.
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Ingredient
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Primary Function
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Erythritol
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Zero-Calorie Natural Sugar Alcohol, Zero Glycemic Response, Maximum Digestive Tolerance
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Xylitol
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Natural Sugar Alcohol, Equal Sweetness to Sucrose, Targeted Cavity Prevention
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Sorbitol
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Multi-Functional Sugar Alcohol, Sweetener + Humectant
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Sucrose (Table Sugar)
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Traditional High Calorie Sweetener, High Glycemic Index
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Stevia Extract
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High Potency Zero Calorie Sweetener, Distinct Licorice Aftertaste
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Monk Fruit Extract
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Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener, Fruity Aftertaste
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Many leading wellness and food brands combine Erythritol with complementary sweeteners such as monk fruit extract or stevia to eliminate any mild cooling aftertaste and create full-sugar equivalent taste zero-sugar formulations.
Market Opportunity
The global zero-sugar food and beverage market continues to experience strong growth as consumers increasingly prioritize long-term wellness and zero added sugar strategies. Several trends are fueling demand for Erythritol:
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Global massive public awareness of the zero-sugar concept
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Fast expansion of the zero-sugar beverage market across all regions
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Rising demand for clean label, natural origin sweeteners
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Growing consumer preference for zero-calorie ingredients with no side effects
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Expanding low glycemic and diabetic friendly product lines
As a result, Erythritol remains one of the most commercially attractive ingredients for brands developing next-generation zero-sugar wellness products.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is Erythritol?
Erythritol is a natural zero-calorie 4-carbon sugar alcohol produced via plant fermentation, which delivers a clean sweet taste, does not raise blood sugar, and features excellent digestive tolerance.
2.Is Erythritol naturally found in food?
Yes. Small amounts of natural Erythritol can be found in fermented foods, pears, melons, mushrooms and other common natural produce.
3.What is the difference between Erythritol and other sugar alcohols?
Erythritol is the only sugar alcohol that achieves true zero calorie status, and has the highest digestive tolerance, which will not cause bloating or diarrhea at regular intake unlike other sugar alcohols.
4.What formulations can Erythritol be used in?
Erythritol is suitable for zero-sugar beverages, baked goods, chocolate, nutritional powders, chewing gum, tabletop sweeteners and nearly all zero-sugar food and supplement applications.
5.What purity level is typically available?
Premium food-grade Erythritol is commonly produced at purity levels of 99% or higher.
Looking for a Reliable Erythritol Supplier?
As demand for zero-sugar and low-calorie wellness products continues to grow, ingredient quality, taste consistency, and supply reliability have become increasingly important for food, beverage and supplement brands and manufacturers.
Nutrient Trail supplies high-purity Erythritol designed for zero-sugar food, functional beverage, and nutritional product applications. Comprehensive technical documentation, including specifications, COA, and quality-related information, is available to support your product development and commercialization.