erythritol

American  

[ih-rith-ri-tawl, -tol] / ɪˈrɪθ rɪˌtɔl, -ˌtɒl /

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble, sweet-tasting, tetrahydroxyl compound, C 4 H 10 O 4 , related to the carbohydrates, obtained from certain lichens and used for coronary vasodilation and in the treatment of hypertension.

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erythritol British  

/ ɪˈrɪθrɪˌtɒl /

noun

1. a sweet crystalline compound extracted from certain algae and lichens and used in medicine to dilate the blood vessels of the heart; 1,2,3,4-butanetetrol. Formula: C 4 H 10 O 4

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Etymology

Origin of erythritol

First recorded in 1890–95; erythrite + -ol ¹

Example Sentences

In their experiment, researchers exposed human cells that line blood vessels in the brain to an amount of erythritol similar to what is found in a typical sugar-free drink for three hours.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

After their blood was drawn a half hour later, researchers "discovered that people who had the erythritol drink had more than double the risk of developing blood clots than those in the sugar group."

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2024

There are also polyols or sugar alcohols - erythritol particularly has gained traction in recent years.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2023

However, isolated polyols — including erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol — are used as sugar-free, low-calorie sweeteners in many food products.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2023

It is quietly replacing the sugar in many packaged foods with sucralose, stevia, allulose, erythritol and a wide variety of other artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes.

From Washington Post