Recent research has shed new light on the serious potential health risks associated with erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener.
A pilot study conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that consuming a drink containing erythritol more than doubled the risk of blood clotting in healthy individuals.
Dr. Stanley Hazen, who led the study, explained the significance of their findings: “What is remarkable is that in every single subject, every measure of platelet responsiveness (clotting) went up following the erythritol ingestion.” This increase in clotting risk is particularly concerning because blood clots can lead to serious health events like heart attacks and strokes.
To put this in perspective, imagine your blood vessels as highways. Normally, traffic (blood) flows smoothly. But when clotting increases, it’s like adding roadblocks that can potentially cause a major pile-up (heart attack or stroke).
The study compared the effects of erythritol to glucose, a natural sugar. While glucose didn’t impact blood clotting, erythritol showed a clear and consistent effect across all participants. This head-to-head comparison provides valuable insights into how these different sweeteners affect our bodies.
Erythritol isn’t just found in a few niche products. It’s widely used in many “natural” and low-carb foods. Dr. Hazen pointed out its prevalence: “If you look at nutrition labels on many keto ice creams, you’ll see ‘reducing sugar’ or ‘sugar alcohol,’ which are terms for erythritol.” A typical pint of keto ice cream can contain between 26 and 45 grams of erythritol.
The amount used in the study – 30 grams – mirrors what you might find in common sugar-free products like sodas, ice creams, or muffins. It’s not an unrealistic amount for many people’s daily intake.
There is growing evidence that a common artificial sweetener is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Lead researcher Dr. Stanley Hazen explains how erythritol affects the body differently than sugar.
Read more: https://t.co/pwzrocIxYf pic.twitter.com/hMdZqJigx1— Cleveland Clinic (@ClevelandClinic) August 8, 2024
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While these findings are concerning, it’s important to note that this was a small pilot study with only 20 participants. Dr. Andrew Freeman, who wasn’t involved in the research, called the results “very intriguing and interesting” but cautioned against jumping to conclusions.
He stated, “I’m not saying we need to cease using these sugar alcohols immediately, but this line of research certainly begs the question: Are they safe or not?”
The Calorie Control Council, an industry association, responded to the study by emphasizing erythritol’s long history of use: “Consumers should interpret the results of this pilot with extreme caution. The limited number of participants, a total of 10, were given an excessive amount of erythritol, nearly quadruple the maximum amount approved in any single beverage in the United States.”
However, Dr. Hazen and his team stand by the relevance of their findings. They argue that the amounts used in the study reflect real-world consumption patterns, especially considering that people often consume multiple servings of erythritol-containing products throughout the day.
This isn’t the first time erythritol has been linked to health concerns. A previous study by the same research team found that people with higher blood levels of erythritol were at increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In that study, erythritol levels remained elevated for days after consumption, potentially prolonging the period of increased clotting risk.
For those concerned about these findings, Dr. Hazen suggests that occasional sugar-sweetened treats in small amounts might be preferable to regularly consuming foods and drinks sweetened with sugar alcohols like erythritol. This advice may be particularly relevant for individuals already at high risk for cardiovascular events.
As with many aspects of nutrition and health, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term impacts of artificial sweeteners like erythritol.
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In the meantime, this study serves as a reminder of the importance of moderation and awareness in our dietary choices. As Dr. Hazen concluded, “We need to make sure the foods we eat aren’t hidden contributors” to cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death globally.