Zero-sugar drinks that don't contain sugar. When they first came out, I bought them out of curiosity, but now it's become a daily routine. Not only zero cola and zero cider, but also zero beer, zero ice cream, zero snacks, zero chocolate, zero jelly, I wonder if all foods will be made into zero sugar at this rate. How can zero-sugar drinks taste so sweet without sugar?

If you look at the nutritional information of zero-sugar products, you will find that this ingredient is almost always included. It is ‘Erythritol’.

Erythritol is a naturally occurring ingredient found in fruits and fermented foods, and it is often used as a sweetener in zero drinks, snacks, and more. It has almost no calories, so it is actually labeled as zero calories when listed on food products. It is said that when it is absorbed into the body, it is almost entirely excreted in urine because it has a very small amount of calories. Similar to xylitol, it is said to have a cavity-preventing effect.

Recently, the incidence of diabetes is increasing among young people in their 20s and 30s. Unlike in the past, today's younger generation has been exposed to fast food, carbonated drinks, and snacks from a young age. They have grown up with the same eating habits and many adults still eat snacks. The increase in various franchise cafes has created an environment where it is easy to be exposed to sugar, and in addition, foods high in carbohydrates, such as tteokbokki, have become popular, or fried foods such as chicken, or foods that look like they will give you diabetes, such as tang-hul, have become popular, changing young people’s eating habits for the worse, which is said to be the reason for the increase in young diabetic patients.

Erythritol has become an alternative sweetener for diabetics. It is becoming popular with many people as an alternative to sugar because it does not affect blood sugar levels. Erythritol, which has no calories or sugar, are there any side effects?

Excessive consumption of anything can lead to side effects. Experts say that excessive consumption of erythritol can cause abdominal distention, diarrhea, and nausea. The criterion for excessive consumption is said to be about 50g. Since there is 1g of erythritol in a 500ml can of Sprite Zero, the possibility of excessive consumption is practically zero unless you drink dozens of cans.

When looking at the nutritional information of zero-sugar carbonated drinks, another ingredient besides erythritol catches your eye. It is sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium.

Sucralose, like erythritol, has virtually no calories, has a cavity-preventing effect, and does not affect diabetics. Acesulfame potassium is also used as a sweetener, but it is said to be less sweet than sucralose. Both sucralose and acesulfame potassium, like erythritol, are said to have no significant effect on the body as long as they are not consumed excessively.

Aspartame is known to be the sweetest of the alternative sweeteners. Aspartame has been controversial as a possible carcinogen. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it plans to classify aspartame as a Group 2B carcinogen.

Group 2B carcinogens are substances that may be carcinogenic, and fermented foods such as kimchi and pickles, and electromagnetic waves from mobile phones are also classified as Group 2B carcinogens. In fact, we are already exposed to Group 2B carcinogens. Although it is now excluded, coffee was once included in Group 2B carcinogens. While it is classified as a carcinogen, it can be interpreted that the risk is not very high.

Alternative sweeteners that are a ray of hope for diabetics and dieters. While safety has been confirmed to some extent, keep in mind that excessive consumption can lead to side effects.