Erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a new study from the Cleveland Clinic published in Nature Medicine.
Artificial sweeteners, such as erythritol, are common replacements for table sugar in low-calorie, low-carb, and “keto” products.
Erythritol is a type of sugar alcohol that can be found naturally in some fruits and fermented foods. Medical News Today notes that some manufacturers add an industrially fermented version to low-sugar and sugar-free food and drink options.
Cleveland Clinic explains that erythritol is about 70% as sweet as sugar and is produced by fermenting corn.
The human body creates low amounts of erythritol naturally, so any additional intake can add up.
More than 4,000 people in the US and Europe were evaluated in the new Cleveland Clinic study. The researchers found that participants with higher blood erythritol levels were at elevated risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event, such as heart attack, stroke, or death.
The results of the study revealed that erythritol may contribute to the formation of blood clots, a major trigger of cardiac events.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that cardiovascular disease, a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
Sugar-free products containing erythritol are often consumed by people who have obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome and are looking for options to help manage their sugar or calorie intake. The researchers note that people with these conditions are also at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Erythritol is a “Generally Recognized as Safe” additive by the FDA, which means there are no requirements for long-term safety studies. However, health experts suggest that further research on the long-term requirements may be needed.
It would be necessary to examine the effects of erythritol on the risks of heart attack and stroke, particularly in people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, said the study’s lead author, Dr. Stanley Hazen, chair of the Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences at the Institute of Lerner Research and co-director of the Cleveland Clinic Preventive Cardiology section.
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