Erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, has been linked to an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke, according to new research from the Cleveland Clinic. Results were released in today’s issue of Nature Medicine.
A severe adverse cardiac event, such as a heart attack, stroke, or death, was found to be more likely in persons with higher blood erythritol levels, according to research done on more than 4,000 people in the U.S. and Europe. Also, they looked at what happened when isolated platelets or whole blood were given erythritol. Platelets are pieces of cells that cluster together to halt bleeding and help form blood clots. The outcomes showed that erythritol facilitated platelet activation and clot formation. Pre-clinical research proved erythritol consumption increased clot formation.
Table sugar is frequently swapped out for artificial sweeteners like erythritol in low-calorie, low-carb, and “keto” products. Those who have obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome and are looking for solutions to help regulate their sugar or calorie intake are frequently advised to try sugar-free goods containing erythritol. Also, those who have these disorders are more vulnerable to harmful cardiovascular events including heart attacks and stroke.
Erythritol is made by fermenting corn and is around 70% as sweet as sugar. Erythritol is poorly metabolized by the body after consumption. Instead, it enters the bloodstream and primarily exits the body through the urine. Because the human body normally produces only little amounts of erythritol, any additional consumption might build up.
Artificial sweeteners are difficult to measure, and the basic labeling requirements frequently do not mention particular ingredients. As erythritol is “Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)” according to the FDA, long-term safety investigations are not necessary.
The authors emphasize the need for additional research to verify their findings among the general public. The fact that clinical observation studies only show association rather than causation is one of the study’s many shortcomings.
