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The 30-second answer
Stevia, sucralose and erythritol have almost no calories, but the WHO advises against relying on them to lose weight, because research found no long-term benefit for body fat. Stevia comes from a plant leaf and is 200 to 400 times sweeter than sugar, sucralose is man-made and 600 times sweeter, and erythritol is a sugar alcohol that can cause diarrhoea in large amounts. Use them as a step to cut sugar, not as a weight-loss fix.
Stevia, sucralose or erythritol?
| Sweetener | Origin | Sweeter than sugar | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stevia | Extracted from the stevia leaf | 200 to 400 times | Harvard: raw stevia leaf and crude extracts are not allowed as sweeteners in the US |
| Sucralose | Man-made | 600 times | A brain-scan study found it does not activate reward areas the way sugar does |
| Erythritol | Sugar alcohol | Less sweet than sugar | Large amounts can cause diarrhoea; a 2023 study linked blood levels to heart events |
Do they help you lose weight?
- WHO (2023): advises against sweeteners for weight control, as they bring no long-term benefit for body fat in adults or children. This covers stevia and sucralose.
- Possible risks: the same source says long-term use may be linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease, though the evidence is not conclusive, and the advice does not apply to people with diabetes.
- Harvard: research is mixed; most trials found a modest weight loss, some studies found the opposite, and they may make you crave sweet foods.
- The real use: Harvard says a diet drink can be a short-term swap for a sugary one, in small amounts.
Erythritol and the heart: what is the story?
A 2023 Nature Medicine study of more than 4,000 people having heart check-ups found those with higher blood erythritol were more likely to have heart attacks and strokes within 3 years. In the lab, erythritol made platelets more prone to clotting. But this is a link, not proof, blood was measured only once, and the researchers called for long-term safety studies. If you have heart problems, cut back on erythritol products until the picture is clearer.
Products sweetened with stevia or erythritol at Beseha
These replace sugary foods; they are not table-top sweeteners. For diet snacks, see healthy diet snacks.
#1
5 kcal per spoonSteviaLowest calories
Zero Treat Strawberry Purée – 180 g
The lowest calories per the page
EGP 100
EGP 0.6 per g · 180 g
- The page: 95% real strawberries, no added sugar
- The page: only 5 kcal per tablespoon
- Sweetened with stevia
Heads-up: Calories add up if you eat a lot; the page counts one spoon
#2
95% fruitStevia
Zero Treat Mango Purée – 180 g
A jam alternative with no added sugar
EGP 120
EGP 0.7 per g · 180 g
- The page: 95% real mango, no added sugar or glucose syrup
- The page: sweetened with stevia
- 180 g jar
Heads-up: No added sugar does not mean sugar-free; mango itself contains natural sugar
#3
30% proteinStevia
Ketolicious Zero Sugar Halawa – 250 g
Tahini halawa with no added sugar
EGP 130
EGP 0.5 per g · 250 g
- The page: sesame tahini with 30% plant protein, sweetened with stevia
- The page: no added sugar or added oils
- The page: 5 servings per jar, about 210 kcal each
Heads-up: 210 kcal per serving is not low; tahini is mostly fat, so portion size matters
#4
22 g proteinErythritol
TVN Elite Protein Bar – 65 g
A protein snack sweetened with stevia and erythritol
EGP 55
EGP 0.8 per g · 65 g
- The page: 22 g protein and 230 kcal per bar
- The page: 6 g net carbs and 15 g fibre
- The page: stevia and erythritol; sold per bar
Heads-up: The page says high fibre plus erythritol may cause bloating in some people
#5
Low carbStevia
Ketolicious Keto Pancake Mix – 454 g
Pancakes from almond and coconut flour
EGP 247
EGP 0.5 per g · 454 g
- The page: almond, lupine and coconut flour, sweetened with stevia
- The page: 1.5 g net carbs per serving
- Gluten-free per the page
Heads-up: Calories per serving are not on the page; nuts are an allergen for some people
| Product | Sweetener | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TVN Elite Protein Bar – 65 g | Stevia + erythritol | 65 g | EGP 55 |
| Zero Treat Strawberry Purée – 180 g | Stevia | 180 g | EGP 100 |
| Zero Treat Mango Purée – 180 g | Stevia | 180 g | EGP 120 |
| Ketolicious Zero Sugar Halawa – 250 g | Stevia | 250 g | EGP 130 |
| Ketolicious Keto Pancake Mix – 454 g | Stevia | 454 g | EGP 247 |
How to use them well
- A step, not a fix: use them to cut sugar, then reduce sweetness overall, step by step.
- Water first: Harvard recommends plain, sparkling or unsweetened flavoured water.
- Children: Harvard says the long-term effects of sweetened drinks on children are unknown, so limit them.
- Check total calories: “no added sugar” does not mean low calorie; the keto halawa has 210 kcal per serving.
Be careful if
- You have heart problems or clotting issues: cut back on erythritol until more studies come out.
- Your stomach is sensitive: sugar alcohols such as erythritol can cause bloating or diarrhoea, per Harvard.
- You have diabetes: the WHO advice does not apply to you; ask your doctor which sweeteners suit you.
- You have a nut or sesame allergy: some of these products contain almonds or tahini.
Want a pharmacist’s view?
Beseha pharmacists answer on WhatsApp. Tap the “Ask a pharmacist” button and tell them if you have diabetes or heart problems, and they will help you choose.
FAQ
What is the difference between stevia and sucralose?
Stevia is extracted from a plant leaf and is 200 to 400 times sweeter than sugar; sucralose is man-made and 600 times sweeter, per Harvard.
Do sugar substitutes help with weight loss?
The WHO advises against using them for weight control, as they give no long-term benefit for body fat.
Is erythritol safe?
It can cause diarrhoea in large amounts, and a 2023 study linked higher blood levels to heart events, though this is a link, not proof.
What is the best sugar substitute for dieting?
The best approach is to reduce sweetness gradually; sweeteners can be a temporary step to cut sugar, not a weight-loss fix.
Does the WHO advice apply to people with diabetes?
No, it excludes people with pre-existing diabetes.
Are no-added-sugar products low in calories?
Not always; the no-added-sugar keto halawa has about 210 kcal per serving, per its product page.
Read next: healthy diet snacks and garcinia cambogia for weight loss.
The bottom line
Sugar substitutes cut calories but do not cause weight loss on their own, per the WHO. Stevia comes from a plant, sucralose is man-made, and erythritol can upset the stomach and needs more heart research. Use them for a while to cut sugar, and above all get used to less sweetness.
Weight management products at Beseha →
Sources
- WHO 2023: non-sugar sweeteners and weight control
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Low-calorie sweeteners
- Witkowski et al. 2023: Erythritol and cardiovascular events (Nature Medicine)
This content is for information and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Prices and availability may change; the final price is on the product page.
