Effect of Daily Erythritol Versus Sucrose Intake Over 5 Weeks on Glucose Tolerance in Adolescents (EryAdo)

September 25, 2026 updated by: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Effect of Daily Erythritol Versus Sucrose Intake Over 5 Weeks on Glucose Tolerance in Adolescents: a Pilot Trial

This trial is divided into different parts: Part A the EryAdo trial and Part B the EryClot trial.

Part A EryAdo Trial:

Childhood and adolescence are crucial periods for prevention of obesity, as obese children are five times more likely to be obese at adulthood than lean children. To this purpose, sugar consumption should be reduced. The sugar alcohol erythritol is increasingly popular as sugar substitute in the food industry and is also recommended to diabetic patients. The substance is freely available. Recent acute studies show that erythritol has a positive influence on satiation and gastric emptying without affecting insulin and plasma glucose. In this trial, the investigators aim to assess the effect of a chronic intake of erythritol versus sucrose on insulin resistance in healthy adolescents.

Part B EryClot Trial:

In recently published studies, a prothrombotic effect of erythritol and xylitol was described.

Therefore, within a pilot study the investigators examined whether erythritol is detectable in the blood after administration of erythritol and conventional sweeteners (glucose and fructose). Also the effect on blood clotting was investigated.

These preliminary tests served to clarify the data situation so that further studies can be based on them.

The preliminary results of the pilot study indicated that there appears to be no measurable effect of erythritol on thrombocyte aggregation. This implicated that there is a discrepancy between our results and the results reported in a recent published study. This is why we need to assess the effects of erythritol in more detail (thrombocyte aggregation, and markers of platelet activation, endothelial activation and coagulation) in more subjects.

Due to a study published in 2024 describing similar prothrombotic effects for xylitol, this substance needs to be investigated as well. Thus, the participants will receive erythritol, xylitol, or water in a randomized order.

In addition to the EryClot ex vivo experiments, we will conduct in vitro experiments incubating platelet-rich plasma from healthy donors with increasing concentrations erythritol or xylitol followed by measurement of platelet aggregation by aggreegometry assay.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Part A EryAdo Trial:

This trial aims to assess the effects of the daily intake of an erythritol-sweetened beverage over 5 weeks on insulin resistance, glucose tolerance and metabolism as well as on gut microbiota. Moreover, this study will also assess the effect of the above-mentioned intervention on food intake, body composition and gastrointestinal tolerance in this population.

Part B EryClot Trial:

The aim of this study is to investigate whether erythritol is detectable in the blood after administration of glucose and fructose, whether there is an effect of erythritol or xylitol on blood clotting and to investigate the platelet responsiveness in vitro in human plasma after addition of erythritol and xylitol.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
30

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Switzerland
    • Canton of Basel-City
      • Basel, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland, 4002
        • St. Claraspital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years to 55 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Part A EryAdo Trial:

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy adolescents
  • Aged 14-18 years
  • Normal weight (BMI between 15th and 85th percentile for age and gender)
  • Minimum weight of 45kg
  • Regular sugar consumption >25g/d

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe acute or chronic diseases
  • Pregnancy
  • Regular intake of prebiotics
  • Regular intake of probiotics
  • Regular intake of pro-/prebiotic foods
  • Antibiotics cure within 3 months preceding the present study
  • Substance abuse
  • Inability to follow procedures due to psychological disorders or insufficient knowledge of project language (German)
  • Participation in another study with investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study.
  • Pre-existing regular consumption (>1/week) of erythritol
  • Fructose-intolerance
  • Pre-existing diet (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, caloric restriction, etc.)

Part B EryClot Trial:

Inclusion criteria:

  • Healthy participants 18-55 years upon inclusion
  • Normal weight (BMI between 19.0-24.9 kg/m2; for in vitro: BMI < 30 kg/m2)
  • Informed consent signed by participant

Exclusion criteria:

  • Severe acute or chronic diseases
  • Pregnancy: although no contraindication, pregnancy might influence metabolic state. Female adolescents who are pregnant or have the intention to become pregnant during the course of the study are excluded. In female participants a urine pregnancy test is carried out upon screening
  • Substance abuse, smoking
  • Inability to follow procedures due to psychological disorders
  • Participation in another study with investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study.
  • Pre-existing regular consumption (>1/week) of erythritol or xylitol
  • Pre-existing impairment of blood coagulation/thrombocyte function (e.g., hereditary, regular intake of anti-coagulant agents (e.g., NSAIDs, heparin, warfarin, etc.))

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: EryAdo: Sucrose

Participants receive 25g sucrose per day during 5 weeks
Dietary supplement: Sucrose

Sucrose-sweetened beverages twice a day (25g sucrose/day) with main meals during 5 weeks
Experimental: EryAdo: Erythritol

Participants receive 36g erythritol per day during 5 weeks
Dietary supplement: Erythritol

EryAdo:

Erythritol-sweetened beverages twice a day (36g erythritol/day) with main meals during 5 weeks

EryClot:

Erythritol 50g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit

Other Names:
  • E968-Erythritol
Active Comparator: EryClot Glucose

Participants receive 75g glucose dissolved in 300mL water once during the visit (only in the pilot study)
Dietary supplement: Glucose

Glucose 75g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit
Active Comparator: EryClot Fructose

Participants receive 25g fructose dissolved in 300mL water once during the visit (only in the pilot study)
Dietary supplement: Fructose

Fructose 25g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit
Experimental: EryClot Erythritol

Participants receive 50g erythritol dissolved in 300mL water once during the visit
Dietary supplement: Erythritol

EryAdo:

Erythritol-sweetened beverages twice a day (36g erythritol/day) with main meals during 5 weeks

EryClot:

Erythritol 50g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit

Other Names:
  • E968-Erythritol
Experimental: EryClot Xylitol

Participants receive 33.5g xylitol dissolved in 300mL water once during the visit
Dietary supplement: Xylitol

Xylitol 33.5g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit

Other Names:
  • E967-Xylitol
Placebo Comparator: EryClot Water

Participants receive 300mL water once during the visit
Dietary supplement: Water

300mL water administered once per visit

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
EryAdo: Insulin resistance
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Insulin resistance as measured by the HOMA Index.
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryClot: Platelet Aggregation After Sweetener Ingestion
Time Frame: 0 and 60 minutes

Measuring ex vivo platelet aggregation turbidimetrically using an optical aggregometer
0 and 60 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
EryAdo: Glucose tolerance: Insulin
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Insulin levels during OGTT
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Glucose tolerance: Glucose
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Glucose levels during OGTT
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Glucose tolerance: C-Peptide
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

C-peptide levels during OGTT
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Glucose tolerance: Glucagon
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Glucagon levels during OGTT
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Glucose tolerance: Fructosamin
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Fructosamin levels
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Glucose tolerance: HbA1C
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

HbA1C levels
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Glucose tolerance: Continuous glucose monitoring average
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Continuous glucose monitoring for average glucose levels
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Glucose tolerance: Continuous glucose monitoring glucose variability
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Continuous glucose monitoring for glucose variability
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Glucose tolerance: Continuous glucose monitoring time within range
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Continuous glucose monitoring for time within range
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Glucose absorption
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Glucose absorption measured by 3-OMG concetrations during OGTT
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Metabolomics
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Metabolomics in plasma, urine and stool samples, measured by 1H-NMR and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Gut microbiota composition
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

The taxonomic and functional profiles of the gut microbiota (stool samples) assessed by metagenomic shotgun sequencing.
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Gastrointestinal hormones secretion: GLP-1
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Secretion of GLP-1 during OGTT
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Gastrointestinal hormones secretion: PYY
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Secretion of PYY during OGTT
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Gastrointestinal hormones secretion: Ghrelin
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Secretion of Ghrelin during OGTT
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Gastrointestinal hormones secretion: CCK
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Secretion of CCK during OGTT
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Food intake
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Food intake assessed with self-reported food records
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Gastrointestinal tolerance
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 3 and 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Gastrointestinal tolerance recorded by the "Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale" (GSRS), 15 items rated on 7 Point Likert-Scale, a higher score means a worse outcome. Maximum score: 90, Minimum score: 0
Change from baseline to 3 and 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Body composition: fat mass
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Body composition assessed by mean of bioimpedance analysis: fat mass in kg
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryAdo: Body composition: fat free mass
Time Frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

Body composition assessed by mean of bioimpedance analysis: fat free mass in kg
Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake
EryClot blood p-selectin concentrations
Time Frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

Blood p-Selectin concentrations after consumption of test solution
Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours
EryClot blood sVCAM1 concentrations
Time Frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

Blood sVCAM1 concentrations after consumption of test solution
Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours
EryClot blood PF4 concentrations
Time Frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

Blood PF4 concentrations after consumption of test solution
Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours
EryClot blood D-Dimer concentrations
Time Frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

Blood D-Dimer concentrations after consumption of test solution
Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours
EryClot blood Erythritol concentrations
Time Frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

Blood erythritol concentrations after consumption of test solution
Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours
EryClot blood Xylitol concentrations
Time Frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

Blood xylitol concentrations after consumption of test solution
Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Bettina K. Wölnerhanssen, PD. MD, St. Clara Research Ltd.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 18, 2021

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 25, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 6, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 19, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 30, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 25, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • EryAdo

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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