Erythritol, the most popular sugar substitute in China

If you were to ask what the hottest sugar substitute in China has been in recent years, the answer would be erythritol. Sweeteners are food additives that are used to replace refined sugar. Natural sweeteners are now favoured by beverage brands because they are safer and derived from plants.

Erythritol still dominates the domestic sugar substitute market, despite its higher price. This is because erythritol has a number of unique advantages over other sugar alcohols.

Erythritol is a sweetener that looks and tastes very similar to white sugar, but is slightly less sweet than white sugar. Erythritol is low in calories, easily absorbed and less likely to cause gastrointestinal distress than other sugar alcohols. Many experts and experiments have now proven that sugar substitutes are a relatively safe and healthy source of sweetness in the world.

It is well known that sugar consumption can lead to tooth decay and other oral problems. Harmful bacteria in the mouth are able to metabolise sugar and in the process release acids that erode tooth enamel. A study found that erythritol and xylitol inhibit the growth of oral bacteria.

Erythritol has become the sweetener of choice for many well-known beverage companies in their product development due to its own advantages, although it is expensive. We also expect the sweetener industry to "roll up" in the future, with more and better sweeteners to further protect our health and satisfy our love of sweetness.