Dental caries is a major public health problem globally and is the most widespread noncommunicable disease (NCD). It is also the most prevalent condition included in the 2015 Global Burden of Disease Study, ranking first for decay of permanent teeth (2.3 billion people) and 12th for deciduous teeth (560 million children).

If you have diabetes, it’s important to manage your blood sugar. Erythritol is said to add sweetness to foods and beverages without adding calories, spiking blood sugar, or causing tooth decay. Read on to learn if erythritol is too good to be true — or if it lives up to the hype.

The low-calorie sweetener erythritol may seem too good to be true. It’s natural, doesn’t cause side effects and tastes almost exactly like sugar — without the calories. Basically, it has all the things that are good about regular sugar, without any of the negatives, although some media outlets question its benefits. This evidence-based article reviews the benefits and possible side effects of erythritol