So what is the difference between regular Eiro Energy and the new Eiro Energy 25 besides 95 calories?  One thing is how it is sweetened, which we will discuss shortly.  The other is, the Cherry juice, the Pomegranate juice, and the Blueberry juice, which added 18 grams of carbohydrate, is missing.  Instead, a natural fruit and vegetable juice mixture is added for color.  Regular Eiro Energy is sweetened  with the natural sugars found in the fruit juices along with Agave nectar.  You can review how these ingredients add to regular Eiro Energy here. To cut the calories, Eiro had to make some changes without effecting the overall balanced boost we have come to expect.  They removed the natural sugars and Agave nectar and instead added xylitol and stevia to sweeten Eiro Energy 25.  According to Dr. Bill Misner of Hammer Nutrition, ” If there’s such a thing as a perfect sweetener, xylitol is at or near the top of the list. Xylitol is a natural substance that can be found in a variety of fibrous fruits and vegetables. It is also known as birch sugar, primarily because it is usually extracted/produced from birch trees.”  Dr. Misner goes on to say, “The human body naturally produces over 15 grams of xylitol every day by way of normal metabolic processes.”  A tremendous benefit of using xylitol as a sweetener is that metabolism of xylitol activates the Glutathione antioxidant system. (1) You can read more about Glutathione here. Because Xylitol is “digested” very slowly, it shares many of the benefits seen with Eiro’s Resistant Starch Technology.  Because xylitol is not completely absorbed, it yeilds 40% fewer calories than regular sugar.  Unabsorbed xylitol will act as a fiber in the intestines where the normal gut flora will produce short-chain fatty acids.  You can read more about short-chain fatty acids here. Xylitol also prevents the breakdown of lean muscle by exerting a strong anticatabolic effect as well as improving fat utilization.  It also helps to stabilize insulin levels and blood sugar.  All of these effects are important, not only to dieters, but to athletes as well.  Stevia is another ideal natural sweetener.  It is extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a plant native to South and Central America.  Because it is 300 times sweeter than sugar, minimal amounts are needed to sweeten a product.  Stevia is non-caloric and does not affect blood sugar levels.  All sweetners (including sugar and artificial sweeteners) tend to make the body too acidic, which is not good.  Stevia not only does not do this but tends to neutralize some of this acidity caused by some of our poor food choices.  For all the athletes out there, stevia can help your body neutralize some of the lactic acid produced during your workouts.  The flavor of Eiro Energy 25 is slightly different from regular Eiro Energy, which makes sense, with the 3 juices removed.  However, the other ingredients, including the “energy and vitality blend”, have not changed.  Both of the Eiro Energy products are very effective and each have their unique benefits.  I do not want to take away from the original Eiro Energy, but for those who need a low calorie alternative, or want the benefits of xylitol and stevia, Eiro Energy 25 is truly a best in class product.

References:

1.  Wang YM, Patterson JH, Van Eys J.  The potential use of xylitol in G6PD deficiency anemia.  J Clin. Invest. 1971 July;50(7): 1421-1428.