The effect of erythritol on fructose absorption in healthy nondiabetic adults

• Published in: The FASEB journal 2006-03, Vol.20 (4), p.A549-A549
• Main Authors: Kim, Yeonsoo, Hertzler, Steve, Williams, Jennifer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0892-6638; 1530-6860
• DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.A549-a

Introduction Fructose is absorbed from the intestine by facilitated diffusion, but large doses of free fructose (≥) are often malabsorbed. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is well‐absorbed from the intestine, presumably via the paracellular route. The objective of the study was to determine if the simultaneous intake of erythritol enhances fructose absorption in healthy subjects. Methods Healthy adult subjects (n=37) consumed solutions of 50 g fructose and 50 g glucose (F + G), an equimolar mixture of 50 g fructose and 33.3 g erythritol (F + E), and 50 g of fructose (F). Arterialized blood samples from a heated dorsal hand vein were collected at baseline and for 3 hours postprandially. Hydrogen (H2) breath tests were performed for 8 h postprandially to assess carbohydrate malabsorption. Results Breath H2 area under the curve (AUC) were 1098±269, 4636±809, and 9611±1516 ppm ·min for the F+G, F, and F+E treatments, respectively (P