Glycerin – Vegetable or Animal

Questionable Keto Ingredient

What is Glycerin?

Glycerin is a sugar alcohol derived from animal products, plants, or petroleum. It is often added to foods to help oil and water-based ingredients mix, sweetening or moistening the final product. It can be also used to prevent ice crystals from forming in frozen foods, such as low-fat frozen yogurt, ice cream, and other desserts.

Keto Status?

Debatable

Why?

It is pure carbohydrate, but as a sugar alcohol, it is unable to be fully digested. It has been shown in some studies to raise blood sugar and in others not. Your body creates glycerin on its own, so it is not an essential nutrient. It is considered safe and non-toxic at up to 5 grams per kilogram of body weight, and this is a very large amount.

Possible Side Effects From Ingesting Glycerin?

Minimal – Can cause water retention. May cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and excessive thirst in some people.

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PLEASE NOTE – I Heart Keto Mart will add more sources and up-to-date research articles as they come to our attention. We welcome any of our viewers to send us any information/research/articles that you think would be of interest to our rating decision. Keep in mind – we are not rating ingredients solely on their general health benefits or side effects. To see our rating process, click on the link below.

I Heart Keto Mart Rating Guide

I Heart Keto Mart rates all ingredients through a “keto diet” & “low carb diet” lens. As an example, peas would be rated as “Acceptable” on a non-keto healthy diet; however, due to their carbohydrate level, we rate them “Objectionable”. We also rate all sweeteners that typically cause a rise in blood sugar and insulin levels as “Objectionable”. If you prefer a natural sweetener, like honey, over a sugar alcohol like erythritol, you may not agree with our “Objectionable” rating. I Heart Keto Mart rates all ingredients based first and foremost for those that have a sugar/carbohydrate addiction. Ingredients are rated for those who must moderate if not completely abstain from any sugars. If you have questions about this, please refer to this article: Why Some Whole Foods Are Not Keto Friendly

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