Erythritol

I really got a kick out of reading another claim about erythritol.  The chemical formula for erythritol is ((2R,3S)-butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol), so the claimant was saying that this natural sweetener was toxic because it was being made by mixing a flammable gas (butane) with a mold toxin (tetraol).  This was conjuring up images of Mother Nature with a lab out in nature mixing up these toxic chemicals to put them in the fruits and vegetables that this sugar is naturally found in.

The fact is that butane and tetraol are chemical structures, not necessarily chemicals.  In fact tetraol is found as a structure naturally in our bodies, and even in plants such as garlic.

Even though it is found in fruits, commercial erythritol is produced through the fermentation of corn sugar.

As with xylitol, erythritol does not spike the blood sugar or cause cavities.  And it is very safe except in high doses where is can also cause diarrhea.