New study suggests link between common low-calorie sweetener and heart attack

New study links erythritol to increased health risks

A study published on Monday, February 27, by Nature Medicine has linked relatively high levels of erythritol in the blood to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack.

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic checked the blood erythritol levels of more than 4,000 people in the US and Europe, and people with the highest level of the sugar substitute were shown to have twice the risk for stroke, blood clot, or death compared with those with the lowest level, USA Today reports.

Animal and lab studies reportedly reinforced the idea that erythritol might cause clots, Dr. Stanley Hazen, who led the research, told the outlet.

Which products contain erythritol?

Erythritol is often used in low-calorie and zero-sugar products. For instance, the ingredient is commonly found in products including Splenda and Truvia. It is not, however, used in low-calorie drinks such as Diet Coke.

Some monk fruit sweeteners may also contain erythritol. This is because the sweet taste of the fruit does not actually come from sugar, but rather antioxidants called mogrosides, as per Healthline, which are 100–250 times sweeter than table sugar.

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Many manufacturers mix monk fruit sweeteners with other natural products, such as inulin or erythritol, to reduce the intensity of the sweetness.

Dr. Hazen also said that current federal guidelines do not require erythritol to be included on a product’s ingredient list. “The label might simply say ‘artificially sweetened with natural products’, or ‘zero sugar’,” he said.

The FDA regards erythritol as safe

It is also important to note that the FDA currently recognizes erythritol as safe for use in human food.

Equally, the study authors noted that their findings are preliminary and cannot prove that erythritol directly causes blood clots.

Robert Rankin, executive director of the Calorie Control Council, an association representing the low-calorie food and drink industry added: “The people in the study were at increased risk for cardiovascular problems, so the results should not be extrapolated to the general population.”

Splenda and Truvia have been contacted for comment.

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