Erythritol (Pure Polyol) vs. Monk Fruit Extract (Mogroside V)
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Erythritol is a 4-carbon sugar alcohol (polyol) produced via yeast fermentation. It possesses 70% the sweetness of sucrose with virtually zero calories (0.24 kcal/g), a glycemic index of 0, zero net effective carbs, and superior gastrointestinal tolerance.
Monk fruit (luo han guo, Siraitia grosvenorii) extract derives its sweetness from mogrosides, a group of triterpene glycosides concentrated from the fruit's flesh. The dominant compound, Mogroside V, is roughly 250 times sweeter than sucrose, non-caloric, and has zero glycemic impact -- though most commercial "monk fruit sweetener" products blend it with erythritol or another bulking agent rather than selling pure mogroside extract.
Specification Comparison Table
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
70 (70% of Sucrose) | ~250 (250x sucrose, for Mogroside V specifically) |
|
Energy / Calories
|
20 (Official US label: 0 kcal) kcal | 0 (Non-caloric) kcal |
|
Glycemic Index (GI)
|
0 (Zero insulin spike) | 0 (Zero insulin spike) |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
0.66 g / kg body weight per day | Not established by JECFA/EFSA (unlike stevia's formal ADI) |
|
Total Carbohydrates
|
100.0 (Sugar Alcohol) g | — |
|
Net Effective Carbohydrates
|
0.0 (Zero glycemic impact) g | — |
|
Molecular Composition
|
4-Carbon Sugar Alcohol (Tetritol) | — |
|
Dental Caries Risk
|
Non-Cariogenic (Inhibits oral bacteria) | — |
|
Cooling Sensation (Heat of Solution)
|
-43 cal/g (Noticeable endothermic cooling) | — |
|
Sweetening Compound
|
— | Mogroside V (dominant of several mogrosides present) |
|
US Regulatory Status
|
— | GRAS (FDA, since 2011) |
|
EU Regulatory Status
|
— | Not approved (Novel Food dossier still pending as of 2023 EFSA review) |
|
Typical Commercial Form
|
— | Usually blended with erythritol or another bulking agent, not sold as pure mogroside extract |