The Study
Effects of a 5-week intake of erythritol and xylitol on vascular function, abdominal fat and glucose tolerance in humans with obesity: a pilot trial
This study tested if eating erythritol or xylitol for 5 weeks changes your body in good ways, like reducing belly fat or improving blood sugar. It found no clear changes, but because only 42 people were tested, we can't be 100% sure it doesn't work at all—just that we didn't see it here.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Scientists gave obese adults either a sweetener (erythritol or xylitol) or nothing for 5 weeks to see if it improved their blood vessels, belly fat, or blood sugar.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 581 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1The sweeteners didn't help or hurt these health markers in obese adults over 5 weeks, but xylitol might cause mild stomach upset.
- 2Erythritol (36g/day) and xylitol (24g/day) didn't change blood vessels, belly fat, or blood sugar.
- 3Xylitol caused more loose stools than erythritol.
- 4Everyone ate fewer sweets, but so did the group that got nothing.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health
Year
2023
Authors
V. Bordier, Fabienne Teysseire, Jürgen Drewe, P. Madörin, O. Bieri, Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss, H. Hanssen, Christoph Beglinger, A. C. Meyer-Gerspach, B. Wölnerhanssen
Related Content
Claims (6)
In adults with obesity, consuming erythritol or xylitol daily for five weeks does not change the amount of fat in the liver, the size of the liver, or the amount of fat around internal organs.
Taking 36 grams of erythritol or 24 grams of xylitol every day for five weeks does not change arterial stiffness, retinal blood vessel size, abdominal fat, blood sugar control, or blood lipid levels in adults with obesity.
Adults with obesity who consume 24 grams of xylitol daily for five weeks experience more loose stools than those who consume 36 grams of erythritol or no sweetener.
Taking erythritol or xylitol every day for five weeks does not change fasting blood sugar, insulin levels, or insulin resistance in adults with obesity.
In adults with obesity, consuming erythritol or xylitol daily for five weeks does not cause a greater reduction in sweetened beverages and sweets than not consuming them; the reduction happens regardless of whether sweeteners are taken, suggesting it is due to being in a study.
Consuming erythritol is associated with reduced blood flow in the brain's small vessels and a decline in cognitive function over time.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.