Erythritol vs Benzoic Acid: which is worse?

What is Erythritol?

Erythritol is a four-carbon sugar alcohol naturally occurring in small amounts in fruits, fermented foods, and mushrooms. Commercially produced via fermentation of glucose by yeasts such as Moniliella pollinis, it has approximately 70% of sucrose's sweetness, provides 0.24 kcal/g, and has a glycemic index of 0. It is nearly completely absorbed in the small intestine and excreted unchanged in urine, which explains its unusually low laxative effect compared to other polyols.

What is Benzoic Acid?

Benzoic acid is a naturally occurring aromatic carboxylic acid found in cranberries, prunes, cinnamon, and many berries. It is used as a preservative against bacteria, yeast, and fungi at pH below 4.5. In the body, benzoic acid is conjugated with glycine to form hippuric acid, which is excreted in urine.

Documented risks

Erythritol: A 2023 observational study published in Nature Medicine (Hazen et al., Cleveland Clinic) found that elevated blood erythritol levels were associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including heart attack and stroke. Additionally, erythritol was found to enhance platelet aggregation in vitro. This study was widely reported and has generated significant scientific debate; critics note that it was observational (not causational), and that the study population had pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors. Regulatory agencies have not changed their approval status. The long-term cardiovascular implications require further research.

Benzoic Acid: When benzoic acid (or sodium benzoate) is combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in beverages, it can form benzene, a known carcinogen classified as Group 1 by IARC. This reaction is promoted by heat and light. The FDA and EFSA monitor benzene levels in beverages and have set informal guidance limits. A 1999 Lancet publication and the subsequent 2007 'Southampton study' did not directly involve benzoic acid, but sodium benzoate was included in the tested mixture. Some individuals with aspirin sensitivity may react to benzoic acid. The ADI is 5 mg/kg body weight/day.