What’s the truth about healthy sugar alternatives? Are they really any healthier than the white stuff?
Erythritol was endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999 and later by the FDA in 2001. It is considered a safe sugar alternative for individuals with diabetes as it does not impact glucose or insulin levels.
New research from the Cleveland Clinic showed that the popular artificial sweetener erythritol is linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Results were published in today’s issue of Nature Medicine.
In a study of almost 4,000 persons in the United States and Europe, researchers discovered that those with greater blood erythritol levels had an increased chance of suffering a significant adverse cardiac event such as a heart attack, stroke, or death.
Also, they looked at what happened when isolated platelets or whole blood were given erythritol. Platelets are pieces of cells that cluster together to halt bleeding and help form blood clots.
The results showed that erythritol facilitated platelet activation and clot formation. Pre-clinical research showed erythritol consumption increased clot formation.
According to senior author Stanley Hazen, sweeteners such as erythritol have gained popularity in recent years. However, he emphasized the importance of conducting more comprehensive research on their long-term effects. Hazen pointed out that cardiovascular disease develops gradually over time and is a primary cause of death worldwide, and therefore, it is essential to ensure that our diets do not contain hidden risk factors.
Table sugar is often swapped out for artificial sweeteners like erythritol in low-calorie, low-carb, and “keto” diets.
Those who have obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome who are seeking for solutions to help regulate their sugar or calorie consumption are often advised to try sugar-free foods containing erythritol.
Also, those who have these diseases are more vulnerable to harmful cardiovascular events including heart attacks and stroke.
Erythritol is made by fermenting maize and is around 70% as sweet as sugar. Erythritol is poorly metabolized by the body after consumption.
It enters the bloodstream and mostly leaves the body through the urine. Since the human body normally produces very little quantities of erythritol, any excess intake might build up.
Artificial sweeteners are difficult to measure, and the basic labeling requirements sometimes do not mention particular ingredients. Erythritol is “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) by the FDA. This means that long-term safety studies are not required.
The authors emphasize the need for more research to verify their results among the general public. The fact that clinical observation studies only show association rather than causation is one of the study’s many limitations.
Dr. Hazen said, “Our research demonstrates that when individuals drank an artificially sweetened beverage with an amount of erythritol seen in many processed foods, dramatically higher levels in the blood are reported for days – levels much beyond that shown to heighten clotting risks.” It’s crucial that further safety research be done to look at how artificial sweeteners in general, and erythritol in particular, affect heart attack and stroke risks over the long term, especially in populations with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
The authors say that you should talk to your doctor or a certified dietician to find out more about healthy food choices and get personalized advice.
Source: 10.1038/s41591-023-02223-9
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