Polydextrose vs Erythorbic Acid: which is worse?

What is Polydextrose?

Polydextrose is a synthetic polymer of glucose (with some sorbitol and citric acid) created under heat and vacuum conditions. It functions as a soluble dietary fiber, providing only 1 kcal/g. It is used to add bulk to reduced-calorie foods while also contributing fiber content. The FDA approved it as GRAS in 1981.

What is Erythorbic Acid?

Erythorbic acid is a stereoisomer of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) produced by fermentation of sucrose. While it has similar antioxidant properties to vitamin C, it has very little vitamin C activity (approximately 5%). It is primarily used in meat curing to accelerate the conversion of nitrite to nitric oxide, thereby speeding up the development of the characteristic pink color in cured meats.

Documented risks

Polydextrose: At doses above ~90 g/day, polydextrose can cause flatulence, bloating, and loose stools. At normal food use levels it is well tolerated. EFSA confirmed its safety in 2012. It functions as a soluble prebiotic fiber, feeding beneficial gut bacteria. No genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, or reproductive toxicity has been identified.

Erythorbic Acid: Erythorbic acid is generally recognized as safe. It is not carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic. At very high doses in animal studies, no toxicity was observed. It is metabolized similarly to ascorbic acid. When used alongside nitrites in cured meats, it serves the beneficial function of reducing nitrosamine formation, potentially making cured meats somewhat safer. No significant adverse effects have been documented at food use levels.