New study identifies sugar replacement sweetener as biomarker for weight gain

[rangerrebew]

New study identifies sugar replacement sweetener as biomarker for weight gain



May 10, 2017

A new study has identified the sugar alcohol erythritol as a biomarker for increasing fat mass. In contrast to previous assumptions and research, erythritol can be metabolized by, and even produced in, the human body.

Erythritol occurs naturally in a variety of foods, such as pears and watermelons, but in recent years has increasingly become a common ingredient in low-calorie foods as a sugar replacement sweetener.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20170510/New-study-identifies-sugar-replacement-sweetener-as-biomarker-for-weight-gain.aspx

[Gefn]

Bookmarking.

Thanks. @rangerrebew

[Free Vulcan]

Though I've tried some of these erythritol based products, I like xylitol best as a sugar substitute.

[Applewood]

When I was diagnosed as a diabetic, some well-meaning family and friends bought me all sorts of artificially sweetened products. Most of them made me sick.  No, thanks.   I'll try to avoid sweet stuff, but if I must, it will be good old sugar.

[the_doc]

Though I've tried some of these erythritol based products, I like xylitol best as a sugar substitute.

I think the safest alternative is actually stevia.

[Sanguine]

So, stevia is not erythritol.  Good to know.

[driftdiver]

What does that mean.  "Biomarker"

[Sanguine]

What does that mean.  "Biomarker"

It means there might actually be some value to this study:

Researchers found that students who gained weight and abdominal fat over the course of the year had fifteenfold higher blood erythritol at the start of the year compared with their counterparts who were stable or lost weight and fat mass over the academic year.

People with detectable blood levels of erythritol gained weight vs. those students who didn't have that biomarker and didn't gain weight.

[thackney]

What does that mean.  "Biomarker"

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=biomarker

noun
a measurable substance in an organism whose presence is indicative of some phenomenon such as disease, infection, or environmental exposure.