'HEALTHY' ALTERNATIVE TO SUGAR COULD BE INCREASING YOUR RISK OF STROKE AND HEART DISEASE

A "healthy" sugar alternative may be increasing your risk of heart problems, a new study has suggested. Researchers say the product, often thought of as a healthy way to sweeten food or drinks, may raise the risk of strokes or heart disease.

Erythritol has only 6 per cent of the calories of sugar but provides 70 per cent of the sweetness. And according to Healthline, studies have shown the substance could beneficial in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

But new research conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder suggest the amount of erythritol found in a single beverage serving may have negative effects on brain and blood vessel health may negatively impact brain and blood vessel health. and potentially cause blood clotting.

• Neurologist shares cognitive test taken by President Trump - see how you score
• Warning issued to anyone with brown bananas in their kitchen - 'no longer safe'

The findings suggest it increases oxidative stress and reduces the production of nitric oxide in brain blood vessel cells, which may impair blood flow, contributing to a higher risk of vascular events like a stroke.

Auburn Berry, lead author of the study, said: “While erythritol is widely used in sugar-free products marketed as healthier alternatives, more research is needed to fully understand its impact on vascular health. In general, people should be conscious of the amount of erythritol they are consuming on a daily basis.”

In mass production, erythritol is created when a type of yeast ferments glucose from corn or wheat starch. The process creates a final product looks like powdery white crystals.

Explaining the findings to Medical News Today, Berry said the additive “disrupts the production of nitric oxide,” something that's vital for the blood vessels to dilate, ensuring proper blood flow.

In lab tests, researchers exposed human cells to an erythritol solution with similar quantities of found in an energy drink, and left this in the solution for three hours. They said they found the exposure caused much higher levels of oxidative stress than untreated cells.

Is erythritol safe?

As WebMD explains, here's increasing scientific evidence that "erythritol and other artificial sweeteners can be bad for your health. Recent research shows erythritol may be associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death."

But the sweetener is recognised as safe as by the FDA, meaning that long-term safety studies are not required

But erythritol is on the list of "Generally Recognized as Safe" foods by the FDA. So, long-term safety studies of erythritol aren't required currently. It means food makers don't have to list erythritol on product nutrition labels.

Scientist Thomas M. Holland, of the Rush University Medical Center Institute for Health and Aging, who was not involved in this study. also told Medical News Today that erythritol can lead to increased rates of "cognitive decline".

He said: “Erythritol triggers a surge in harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, which cause cellular damage. Of particular concern is when these reactive oxygen species cause damage to neural tissue, which can lead to increased rates of cognitive decline.”

Scientists have stressed the need for moderation and recommended using other low-calorie sweeteners such as stevia, a sugar substitute made from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant of South America.

2025-05-09T23:11:35Z