The Sweet Truth: What you Need to Know About Artificial Sweeteners

When it comes to natural sweeteners, not all options are created equal. Today we're diving into two popular alternatives you've likely seen on ingredient labels: monk fruit and erythritol. While one gets the green light, the other comes with some important caveats you should know about.

Monk Fruit: The Clear Winner

Let's start with the good news. Monk fruit is honestly great and poses no problem at all for most people. This natural sweetener has gained popularity for good reason—it provides sweetness without the negative side effects associated with many sugar alternatives.

If you see a product sweetened with monk fruit alone, you're in the clear. It's a reliable choice for those looking to reduce sugar intake without compromising on taste.

Erythritol: The Sneaky Culprit

Here's where things get tricky. Erythritol is sneaky because it's often combined with monk fruit in products, creating a misleading impression about what you're actually consuming.

Erythritol belongs to a category called sugar alcohols—you can identify these by their telltale "-ol" ending. Other examples include xylitol, and they all share similar characteristics that can affect your digestive system.

Why Erythritol Causes Problems

Erythritol is very low in calories, for 1 reason: humans can't digest it. When your body can't digest something, digestive issues typically follow.

The common side effects of erythritol include:

• Bloating

• Gas

• Diarrhea

  

  
  

The Label Reading Challenge

This is where consumer awareness becomes crucial. Many products marketed as being "sweetened with monk fruit" actually contain both monk fruit and erythritol. Always check the ingredient list carefully.

What to look for:

• ✅ Products sweetened with monk fruit only

• ⚠️ Products listing both monk fruit and erythritol

• 🔍 Any ingredients ending in "-ol" (sugar alcohols)

  
  

The Bottom Line

While monk fruit stands as an excellent natural sweetener option, be cautious of products that combine it with erythritol. The digestive side effects from erythritol can turn your healthy choice into an uncomfortable experience.

When shopping for naturally sweetened products, take the extra moment to read those ingredient labels. Your digestive system will thank you for choosing wisely.

Stay tuned for part two, where we'll explore additional natural sweeteners and their effects on your health.

Want to know more about how your body reacts to sugars?

Join The Metabolic Reset to see your own unique response patterns.