Fat-Substitute Study Warns of Diarrhea and Oily Stools: EPG Causes Vitamin Drop, Digestive Distress

A new clinical trial indexed on PubMed has revealed alarming findings around the fat substitute Esterified Propoxylated Glycerol (EPG). The eight-week, double-blind, randomized study of 139 healthy adults found that consuming EPG at 25 g and 40 g per day not only lowered levels of key nutrients (including β-carotene and phylloquinone) but also triggered frequent episodes of diarrhea and oily stools.

Participants consuming EPG had significantly lower circulating β-carotene and vitamin K₁ (phylloquinone), and a biomarker of impaired vitamin K function (PIVKA-II) was higher compared to controls. The authors suggest EPG may act as a “lipid sink” in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. PubMed

In addition to nutrient interference, the study observed a clear dose-response in gastrointestinal adverse events: symptoms such as oily spotting, oily evacuation, oily and liquid stools, and diarrhea were far more common in the 25 g/day and 40 g/day EPG groups. The incidence and duration of these symptoms rose in proportion to the amount of EPG consumed. PubMed

While secondary measures—serum folate, vitamin B12, zinc, iron, calcium, cholesterol and more—showed no change, the fact that EPG disrupted fat-soluble vitamin status and caused such unpleasant digestive effects raises red flags about its use in foods marketed as “better-for-you.” PubMed

Consumers and food manufacturers alike should heed these findings: an ingredient touted for calorie-reduction may come at the cost of nutrient absorption and gut health.