erythritol—the natural sweetener with the difficult name

erythritol has been used for decades, but maybe it’s not talked about very much because a. it’s tough to pronounce, and b. its kissing cousin, xylitol, starts with an “x” and it gets all the attention. it’s a shame that erythritol isn’t more well-known, but we’re here to give it some love. why? well for starters, it’s got lots of good things going for it. it’s naturally sweet, lower in calories than sugar, doesn’t impact blood sugar, and helps prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth. as far as toothpaste ingredients go, we think it’s a real catch.

what exactly is erythritol?

though it’s labeled as a “sugar alcohol,” erythritol doesn’t contain sugar or alcohol. sugar alcohols actually fall into the carbohydrate family. erythritol is made from fermented natural sugars found in fruits and veggies. who knew that your mushrooms, cherries, carrots, asparagus and sweet potatoes could act as a source of this natural wonder?

today, a lot of erythritol, including ours, is made from corn. compared to sucrose (table sugar), erythritol is less sweet and has hardly any calories—just 0.2 calories per gram. adding sweetness without calories sounds like magic, but it’s just nature at work.

erythritol—sweet and safe

erythritol has generally been considered safe for decades, but it got official recognition at the start of the new millennium. in 1999, the WHO/FAO joint expert committee on food additives gave erythritol an acceptable daily intake of “not specified,” the highest categorization possible. then in 2001, the u.s. food and drug administration (FDA) followed suit, bestowing its GRAS (generally recognized as safe) designation to erythritol. today, erythritol is approved for use in more than 50 countries.

this low-calorie, natural sweetener can be found in sugar-free gum and candies, sports drinks, baked goods, frozen desserts, and yes, toothpaste and mouthwash. because erythritol adds sweetness but is low on the glycemic index, it’s the sweetener of choice for many people with diabetes.

the benefits of erythritol toothpaste

erythritol creating a sensation of sweetness, good. erythritol helping prevent tooth decay, even better. fact is, erythritol helps prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth which thwarts the formation of plaque and cavities.

hello® toothpastes and mouthwashes are made with naturally friendly ingredients, including erythritol. the erythritol in hello products is derived from fermented non-gmo corn. reduced bacteria and a tastier flavor while brushing? we think that’s pretty sweet, and we’re thinking you will too.