Erythritol and its effects on mouth and body health
What it found
Erythritol reduced dental plaque, cavity risk, and certain mouth bacteria better than two other sugar alcohols.
It also did not raise blood sugar or insulin in people.
What they found
Studies in people
Dental plaque and cavities
In mouth health studies, erythritol lowered the weight of dental plaque and the acids it produces. It also cut the risk of cavities better than sorbitol and xylitol, leading to fewer fillings by dentists.
Blood sugar and insulin
Because of how the body handles it, erythritol did not raise blood sugar or insulin levels.
Antioxidant and blood vessels
Published evidence shows erythritol can work as an antioxidant. It may also improve blood vessel function in people with type 2 diabetes.
Studies in people and animals
Mouth bacteria counts
Erythritol lowered the number of mutans streptococci bacteria found in saliva and dental plaque.
Digestion and calories
Unlike other sugar alcohols, erythritol is easily taken in from the small intestine and leaves the body unchanged in urine. This means it provides no calories and is well tolerated by the gut.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that erythritol actively supports mouth and body health rather than just acting as a sugar replacement.
- They note that its unique digestion makes it noncaloric and easy on the gut compared to other sugar alcohols.
How it was done
Sugar alcohols have replaced sugar in sweet foods for about 80 years to protect tooth enamel and lower blood sugar after meals. Newer evidence suggests erythritol may actively support mouth and body health beyond just replacing sugar.
The authors reviewed published research on how erythritol works in the mouth and the rest of the body. They looked at studies in both animals and people. The summary does not state how many studies were included or how long they lasted.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of existing research, so it cannot prove cause and effect on its own.
- Some findings come from animal studies and may not match what happens in people.
The paper
- Title
- Erythritol Functional Roles in Oral-Systemic Health
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- de Cock P (2018). Erythritol Functional Roles in Oral-Systemic Health. Advances in dental research. doi:10.1177/0022034517736499PubMed 29355425DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error