Erythritol and xylitol absorption and metabolism in people
What it found
In 17 healthy lean people, erythritol was taken up into the blood in a dose-dependent way, while xylitol was poorly absorbed.
Erythritol was converted into erythronate in small amounts, and xylitol was not converted into erythronate.
What they found
Studies in people
Erythritol absorption
Blood levels of erythritol rose with each increase in dose, and the absorption was slower at the highest dose of 50 g, suggesting the process can become saturated.
Xylitol absorption
Xylitol was poorly absorbed. It was not detected in any participant after 7 g, only in some after 17 g, and in all after 35 g.
Erythritol to erythronate
Erythritol was converted into erythronate in a dose-dependent way, with a larger fraction converted at higher doses. Less than 1% of the erythritol was converted into erythronate.
Xylitol to erythronate
No erythronate was detected in the blood after any dose of xylitol, meaning xylitol was not converted into erythronate at the doses used.
Gut symptoms
Participants tolerated the treatments well. One person had diarrhea after 10 g erythritol, four reported bloating, and two reported increased burping. No abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, or vomiting was reported after any dose.
What the authors conclude
“The implications for human health remain to be determined.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that erythritol is absorbed in a dose-dependent and saturable manner and is metabolized in a small amount into erythronate, and this process is dose-dependent.
- They state that the absorption of xylitol is low and no metabolization into erythronate takes place at the doses used in this study.
- They say that the implications for human health remain to be determined.
How it was done
The authors wanted to find out how different amounts of erythritol and xylitol are absorbed and whether they are converted into erythronate, because these sweeteners might help reduce sugar intake and prevent obesity and diabetes.
Seventeen healthy lean participants received solutions of 10, 25, or 50 g erythritol or 7, 17, or 35 g xylitol directly into the stomach on three study days in a randomized order. Blood levels of erythritol, xylitol, and erythronate were measured at fixed times after each dose.
What it can’t tell you
- This study measured blood levels of these sweeteners over three hours after a single dose. It cannot show what happens with long-term use.
- The study did not measure erythritol, xylitol, or erythronate in urine or feces, so it cannot show whether erythronate is further broken down or removed from the body.
- The study cannot show whether the conversion of erythritol into erythronate has any effect on human health.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflict of interest.
- Authors work at
- University of Basel, Switzerland; FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland; University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
The paper
- Title
- Absorption and Metabolism of the Natural Sweeteners Erythritol and Xylitol in Humans: A Dose-Ranging Study
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Bordier V, Teysseire F, Senner F, et al (2022). Absorption and Metabolism of the Natural Sweeteners Erythritol and Xylitol in Humans: A Dose-Ranging Study. International journal of molecular sciences. doi:10.3390/ijms23179867Free full textPubMed 36077269DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error