It increases heart risks.
Recent research has raised concerns about the potential heart risks associated with the artificial sweetener erythritol. A study involving 20 healthy adults discovered that erythritol, at concentrations typical in products like diet sodas or sugar-free muffins, was associated with increased platelet activity, which could potentially lead to a higher risk of blood clots.
This finding contrasts with the effects observed with regular sugar. Dr. Stanley Hazen, who led the study at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, noted that while many health professionals recommend sugar substitutes for those at high cardiovascular risk, such as individuals with obesity or diabetes, this new evidence highlights the need for more comprehensive long-term research on the cardiovascular safety of erythritol and similar sweeteners.
The study builds on earlier research published in Nature Medicine, which found that individuals with higher levels of erythritol in their blood were at a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes. Laboratory tests from that study suggested that erythritol might contribute to this risk by promoting platelet clotting.
In the latest study, participants experienced a significant increase in erythritol levels after consuming a dose equivalent to that found in a sugar-free muffin or diet soda. This spike was accompanied by a marked increase in blood clot formation, raising concerns about the acute effects of erythritol consumption.
Despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s classification of erythritol as “generally recognized as safe,” Dr. Hazen and his team advise caution, particularly for those at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The study, supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Office of Dietary Supplements, has been critiqued by the sweetener industry for its methodology, including the small sample size and the high erythritol dosage used. Critics argue that the study’s design may not accurately reflect typical consumption patterns and that erythritol has a long history of being deemed safe for use.
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