Popular artificial sweetener erythritol may raise risk of heart attack and stroke: study

A popular artificial sweetener, erythritol, may raise the risk heart attack and strokeA new study from the Cleveland Clinic has shown.

The researchers evaluated over 4,000 people in the US and Europe. Those who consumed large amounts of erythritol had a greater risk of developing serious adverse cardiovascular events, which may include strokeheart attack or death.

A study published in the journal Nature Medicine found that erythritol can contribute to the formation of blood clots, a major trigger for cardiovascular disease.

However, there were also some reservations.

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According to WebMD, erythritol is a carbohydrate called sugar alcohol that contains about half the calories of regular sugar.

It is included in two popular zero-calorie sugar substitutes Truvia and Splenda. The sweetener is also found naturally in some foods, including grapes, watermelons, pears, mushrooms, and fermented cheese.

A new study from the Cleveland Clinic has found that the popular artificial sweetener erythritol may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

A new study from the Cleveland Clinic has found that the popular artificial sweetener erythritol may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. (iStock)

“Our study shows that when participants consumed an artificially sweetened beverage with as much erythritol as found in many processed foods, markedly elevated blood levels were observed for several days — levels well above those seen to increase the risk of blood clotting.” ,” said Stanley Hazen, MD. , Ph.D., in a press release on the Cleveland Clinic website.

He is co-director of preventive cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic and lead author of the study.

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved erythritol for safe consumption in 2001. The World Health Organization (WHO) approved it in 1999.

Erin Palinsky-Wade, RD, in New Jersey A nutritionist who specializes in diabetes and nutrition said erythritol has a sweetness level similar to that of sugar, making it easy to substitute equal amounts in recipes.

Erythritol is found in Truvia and Splenda, two popular zero-calorie sugar substitutes.  However, one expert noted that people in the new study were already at higher risk for heart disease and other health problems.

Erythritol is found in Truvia and Splenda, two popular zero-calorie sugar substitutes. However, one expert noted that people in the new study were already at higher risk for heart disease and other health problems. (iStock)

“Because erythritol is not metabolized in the gut, it has a limited effect on blood glucose levels, unlike other sugar alcohols,” Palinsky-Wade said in an email to Fox News Digital.

“This sweetener also has no aftertaste and contains only 0.24 calories per gram, making it an attractive choice as a sugar substitute.”

Palinsky-Wade, who was not involved in the new study, said erythritol is also added to a variety of productsincluding low carb ice cream, protein powders, low carb snacks, desserts and some drinks.

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“Sweeteners like erythritol have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, but more research is needed into their long-term effects,” said Hazen of the Cleveland Clinic.

“Cardiovascular disease accumulates over time and heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. We need to make sure that the foods we eat are not hidden factors.”

"People with risk factors for heart disease should talk to their doctor to see if erythritol is right for them." said one nutritionist.

“People with cardiovascular risk factors should talk to their doctor to see if erythritol is right for them,” said one nutritionist. (iStock)

Palinsky-Wade was surprised by the results of the study.

“Most of the previous research on erythritol has been very positive because it contains beneficial antioxidants and does not affect blood glucose or insulin levels,” she said.

“More research and longer-term studies are needed to fully understand the effects of erythritol on long-term health.”

Palinsky-Wade added that the study shows a link, not a causal relationship.

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“To fully understand the long-term health effects of erythritol, more research and longer-term studies are needed, including studies in people without current cardiovascular risk factors,” she said.

Hazen also acknowledged the need for further research.

Erythritol is found naturally in several foods, including grapes, watermelons, pears, mushrooms, and fermented cheese.

Erythritol is found naturally in several foods, including grapes, watermelons, pears, mushrooms, and fermented cheese. (iStock)

“It is important that further safety studies be conducted to examine the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners in general and erythritol in particular on the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially in people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease,” he said.

Study Limitations

The new study had some limitations that are important to be aware of.

Kim Kulp, nutritionist San Francisco, California who did not participate in the study noted that despite an increase in cardiovascular events following an increase in blood erythritol levels, people in the study were already at higher risk for heart disease and other health problems.

"Because those who choose to use sugar substitutes are often overweight or diabetic, this puts them at greater risk of heart problems." the nutritionist told Fox News Digital.

“Because those who choose to use sugar substitutes are often overweight or diabetic, this puts them at greater risk of heart problems,” a nutritionist told Fox News Digital.

“Because those who prefer to use sugar substitutes often overweight or diabetesit puts them at greater risk for heart problems,” she told Fox News Digital in an email.

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“The results of this same study could have been different if all subjects were healthy people.”

The American Dietary Guidelines (from the Department of Health and Human Services) recommend limiting added sugar to less than 10% of total daily calories.

The American Dietary Guidelines (from the Department of Health and Human Services) recommend limiting added sugar to less than 10% of total daily calories. (iStock)

Palinsky-Wade said the best strategy is to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) to limit added sugar to less than 10% of total daily calories, and to use all sweeteners, both caloric and non-caloric. in moderation.

“Working to limit the addition of sweeteners to the diet while increasing the intake of foods containing natural sugars, such as whole fruits, is the best strategy when it comes to improving long-term healthShe said.

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“Based on the results of this study, people with cardiovascular disease risk factors should talk to their doctor to see if erythritol is right for them.”