Why We Use Erythritol In Hydramama

What Is Erythritol and why do we use it in Hydramama?

Erythritol is a polyol, which is naturally produced by the human body as part of normal metabolic processes. It is also found in small amounts in certain fruits and fermented foods. Commercially, erythritol is made by fermenting plant-derived starches. This fermentation process creates a sweet compound that tastes similar to sugar but contains a fraction of the calories.

Unlike glucose or sucrose:

• Erythritol does not raise blood glucose levels

• It does not trigger insulin spikes

• It does not feed gut bacteria

• It is largely excreted unchanged

Erythritol is only partially absorbed by the gut. The unabsorbed portion remains in the intestinal lumen, where it can exert an osmotic effect.

Do electrolytes need sugar to be absorbed?

One of the most common questions we receive is:

“Don’t electrolytes need sugar to work?”

Glucose is well established in oral rehydration products due to its active co-transport with sodium via the SGLT-1 transporter in the small intestine. This mechanism allows sodium and glucose to move together across the intestinal wall, which in turn supports water absorption.

However, glucose is not the only way to support hydration.

How erythritol supports hydration?

Erythritol offers an alternative sweetener option for electrolyte products that allows individuals with gestational diabetes, sugar or insulin intake concerns to participate in hydration strategies without added sugars. 

Erythritol is rapidly, but not completely absorbed by the gut. The unabsorbed particles create an osmotic gradient, which pushes water and minerals across the intestinal wall, which supports steady absorption (EFSA NDA Panel, 2010)(Livesey (2003)(IOM, 2005).

Because Hydramama was designed as a rehydration product, formulation decisions were made to support effective water and electrolyte uptake.

Is erythritol a laxative?

Yes, Erythritol is classified as an osmotic laxative at very high single doses. EFSA reports that laxative effects are generally observed only at intakes around 0.7–0.8 g/kg body weight, which are far above the amounts used in our Hydramama formulations. At low to moderate doses, its osmotic effect primarily reflects transient water retention rather than impaired electrolyte or fluid absorption (EFSA NDA Panel, 2010).

Hydramama contains approximately 6 grams per serve, which far outweighs the amount used in our formulations even at multiple daily doses.

Is erythritol safe?

You may have seen headlines referring to the study:

Witkowski, M., Nemet, I., Alamri, H. et al., The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk, Nat Med 29, 710–718 (2023).

Let’s debunk… 

This study did not evaluate erythritol intake as a supplement or sweetener. It measured circulating erythritol levels in blood samples and examined associations with cardiovascular outcomes over a three-year period.

The majority of participants were already extremely unwell:

• 15 percent had heart failure

• 40 percent had experienced a heart attack or myocardial infarction

• 70 percent had coronary artery disease

• 20 percent had type 2 diabetes

• 70 percent were hypertensive

The study did not assess participants’ dietary erythritol intake. It only measured erythritol levels present in the bloodstream.

In certain metabolic diseases, the same pathway that naturally produces erythritol can be more activated, meaning more erythritol may be produced endogenously.

The study did not determine whether elevated erythritol levels caused illness, or whether illness resulted in elevated erythritol levels. 

Observational research can show associations but cannot establish cause and effect.

Berry R, et al, The non-nutritive sweetener erythritol adversely affects brain microvascular endothelial cell function, Journal of Applied Physiology, Volume 138, Issue 6.

Another study you may come across is this one, which discusses laboratory research examining short-term exposure to high circulating concentrations. It does not demonstrate that normal dietary intake causes cardiovascular disease. Research showing higher blood erythritol levels in people with heart or metabolic disease cannot prove cause and effect, and elevated levels may reflect underlying illness rather than dietary intake. Again, this study does not assess the effect of erythritol intake in the general healthy population.

The bottom line - There are numerous safety studies conducted on erythritol, and the balance of evidence continues to favour safety at approved intake levels. Major food safety authorities including FSANZ, EFSA and the FDA continue to consider erythritol safe at approved use levels.

In summary...

Glucose is a well-established mechanism for electrolyte absorption, but it is not the only mechanism. Erythritol provides an alternative sweetener option that supports hydration without added sugar. It is partially absorbed, exerts an osmotic effect in the intestine, and may assist in maintaining fluid movement across the gut wall.

As always, individuals with specific medical conditions should consult their healthcare provider.