Erythritol vs xylitol: two sugar alcohols, one clear calorie gap
They are the two best-known sugar alcohols, and they get lumped together constantly. On calories and sweetness they differ more than most people assume. This is the head-to-head.
The numbers
| Erythritol | Xylitol | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 0 kcal/g | ~2.4 kcal/g |
| Sweetness vs sucrose | 60-70% | ~100% (equal) |
| Glycemic index | 0 | Low (≈7) |
| Cooling effect | Mild | Strong, fresh |
| Dental | Non-cariogenic | Non-cariogenic |
| Digestive tolerance | High | Moderate — can cause GI upset at dose |
Typical commercial values; sweetness varies with grade and matrix.
The two differences that matter most
Calories
Erythritol is 0 kcal/g; xylitol is about 2.4 kcal/g. On a label where the calorie count is the point — a zero-calorie drink or a keto product — that gap decides the choice on its own.
Sweetness
Xylitol is roughly equal to sucrose in sweetness, so it swaps 1:1 with sugar. Erythritol is 60-70%, so a formula usually needs a small top-up from a high-intensity sweetener to reach full sugar sweetness.
Tolerance
Erythritol is absorbed early and excreted mostly unchanged, so it is one of the most tolerable sugar alcohols. Xylitol ferments in the gut, and larger doses can cause the digestive discomfort the category is known for.
Where each one fits
Xylitol's equal-to-sugar sweetness makes it a clean 1:1 swap — the reason it dominates chewing gum and oral-care formats, where its strong cooling and non-cariogenic profile fit perfectly.
Erythritol's zero calories and high tolerance make it the choice when the label's calorie claim is the product — zero-calorie drinks, sugar-free chocolate and keto baking. Its cooling is milder, which suits applications where a strong minty cool would feel off.
We supply organic erythritol (USDA N°193669251216191150 + EU CN-BIO-154.156-0000074.2025.006) in bulk — request specs and samples to compare against xylitol in your own bench.