A new study published indicates that the use of the sweetener erythritol is associated with several serious health issues such as blood clotting, heart attacks, and strokes, according to CNN.
“The health risks associated with erythritol are significant“, stated Stanley Hazen, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, and the lead author of the study.
The study shows that erythritol sweetener may cause serious cardiovascular problems. (Photo: Adobe Stock).
Erythritol is a sweetener found in some fruits and vegetables, with a sweetness level of about 70% compared to sugar. This sweetener is also produced in large quantities and added to many products because it does not significantly raise blood sugar levels after consumption and is calorie-free.
According to the study published on February 27 in the journal Nature Medicine, those at pre-existing risk for cardiovascular diseases are more likely to experience strokes or heart attacks if their blood contains high levels of erythritol.
“If your erythritol level is in the top 25%, your risk of experiencing issues like strokes and heart attacks is doubled compared to others,” Dr. Hazen noted.
Experimental results and animal studies indicate that erythritol causes blood to clot more quickly. These clots can travel to the heart and cause a heart attack or move to the brain and result in a stroke.
“The results of this study are a wake-up call,” said Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular health at National Jewish Health in Denver.
“The scientific community needs to continue researching to reach definitive conclusions. However, people should limit their erythritol intake as a precautionary measure,” Dr. Freeman, one of the scientists involved in the research, remarked.
In response to CNN, the Calorie Control Council, an association formed by the food industry, stated: “The study published on February 27 contradicts decades of trials demonstrating the safety of low-calorie sweeteners like erythritol. This sweetener is also approved for use in food and beverages by regulatory authorities in many countries.”
“The study’s results do not apply to the general population as the participants already had pre-existing cardiovascular risks,” said Robert Rankin, director of the Calorie Control Council.
