If you're looking for a healthier alternative to sugar, you might have heard of xylitol and erythitol. These sweeteners are growing in popularity, but what do they actually do to our bodies? A recent study aimed to find out.
The study, which was performed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, tested the effects of xylitol, erythritol, and glucose (sugar) on brain function and hormone release. 20 volunteers were given each of the sweeteners, and their resting brain activity was measured.
The results showed that xylitol increased activity in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates appetite. Glucose had the opposite effect. Xylitol and erythitol also both caused a rise in hormones that control appetite, called CCK and PYY. However, unlike xylitol, erythritol had no effect on glucose or insulin levels in the body.
So what does all this mean for you? If you're looking for a sweetener that won't affect your blood sugar or insulin levels, xylitol and erythritol are great options. They both promote the release of hormones that control appetite, and xylitol even increases activity in the hypothalamus. But, if you're looking for a sweetener that has minimal impact on your brain function, erythritol may be the better choice.
This is where Energy Pods come in! These compact, shelf-stable snacks are the perfect way to improve your health on the go. They're made with erythritol as a sweetener, and contain 7 grams of MCTs, artisan cocoa, almonds, and 10 grams of protein - all with no added sugar. So you can treat yourself to something sweet while still taking care of your health.
