- Recent Studies Suggest A Connection Between Higher Levels of Erythritol – A Popular Sweetene – In The Blood and an Increased Risk of Vascular Health Issues, Such As Blood Clotting, Heart Disease, And Stroke.
- New Cellular Research Adds Supporting Evidence that the Amount of Erythritol in Just 1 Serving of a Bevege Could Harm Brain and Blood Vessel Health.
- Experts ADVISE LIMITING OR AVOIDING ERYTHITOL AND OPTING FOR WHAT SEEM TO BE SAFER NONCALORIC SWEETENERS, SUCH AS Stevia and Monk Fruit Extract.
Erythritol is to sugar alcohol widely used as a noncaloric Sweetene in sugar-frree production, such as keto-friendly snack bars, energy Drinks, and sugar-fale chewing gum.
It has been approved as a food additive in the United States since 2001 and marketed as a healthy sugar alternative for individuals trying to lose weight or manage their blod sugar levels.
ITS Popularity, There Have Been Growing Concerns About The Safety of Erythritol and ITS Potential Side Effects On Human Health.
Recent Research Proposes A Link Between Higher Levels of Erythritol in the Blood and an Increased Risk of Heart Attack Or Stroke. This may be partly due to increased Blood Clot Formation.
Now, a New Cell Study Further indicates that the amount of erythritol Found in a single Beverage Serving May negatively impact brain and Blood vessel health.
The Findings suggest it increases oxidative stress and reduces nitric oxide production in brain Blood vessel cells, which May IMPOIR BLOOD FLOW, CONTRIBUTING TO A A HIGHER RISK OF VASCULAR EVENTS Like Stroke.
The Study Abstract was present at the 2025 American Physiology Summit (APS2025), April 24–27, 2025, in Baltimore, MD.
“We Expect (The Study To) Be Published in the Journal of Applied Physiology in the Coming Months,” Auburn Berry, MS, First Author of The Study and A Graduate Student in Integrative Physiology at The University of Colorado Boulder, Told Medical News Today.
Erythritol’s Effect on Human Brain Vessel Cells
Researchers at the integrative vascular Biology Laboratory, University of Colorado Boulder, Investigated How Erythritol Fects Oxidative Stress and Nitric Oxide Production In Brain Blood Vessel Cells.
In the Lab, they exposed human Brain Blood vessel Cells to an erythritol solution containing roughly The Same Amount Found in A Single Can of Artificially Sweeted Bevenge (About 30 Grams). The Cells Were Left in This Solution for 3 Hours.
They Found That Exhibition Cells to the Amount of Erythritol Found in A Single Beverage Serving Caused Significantly Higher Levels of Oxidative Stress Combased To Untreated Cells.
Specifically, Cells Exposed to Erythritol Produced Nearly 100% More Reactive Oxygen Species, Which Are A Type of Free Radicals, Compared with Untread Cells.
Levels of Two Key Antioxidant Enzymes Also Increased in The Erythritol-Trated Cells, Suggesting The Cells Were Responding to the extra oxidative stress. Additionionally, The Erythritol-Trated Cells Produced Less Nitric Oxide.
The Study’s Authors Note That This Increased Oxidative Stress and Reduced Nitric Oxide Levels May Contribute to the HeightNed Risk of Vascular Diseases and Events Like Stroke Linked to Erythitol.
Howthritol May Harm Brain and Blood Vessel Health
Erythritol May Negatively Impact Brain and Blood Vessel Health by Directly Interfering With Cellular Process, According to Experts.
Berry Told MNT that erythritol disruptions the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that is Essential for Blood Vessels to relax and widen (dilate) as Needed for Proper Blood Flow.
Erythritol Does So “By interfering with a key activation step in the Cells, Making Them Less Effective at Production (Nitric Oxide),” Said Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS, A Physician-Scientist and Assistant Professor at The Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University, College of Health Sciences, Who Was Not Involved in the Study.
This reduced nitric oxide can unpaid blood vessel function, disruption circulation, and potentially cause neurovascular Damage, I explained.
HOLLAND STATED THAT THIS DECREASED NITRIC OXIDE COULD ALSO ADD TO OXIDATIVE STRESS, BUT “THE MAIN DRIVER OF OXIDE STRESS IN THIS CASE IS LIKELY THE DIRECT IMPACT ERYTHRITOL HAS ON THE CELLS ‘OXIDATIVE BALANCE.
“Erythritol Triggers A arises in Harmful Molecules Called Reactive Oxygen Species (Ros), which Cause Cellular Damage. Of particular concern is When tohesh Reactive Oxygen Species Cause Damage to Neural Tissue, which can lead to Increased Rates of Cognitive Decline Decline. Damage in Various Organ Systems Leading to a Slew of Disease Process.
– Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS
Both Experts Noted That Sole Cellular Effects – Deduced Nitric Oxide Production and Elevated Oxidive Stress – Le Consistency With Early Events in Vascular Diseases, Including Thrombosis and Strokes.
Holland Poeded Out That While Tohe Findings Are Based On Lab Studies and May Not Fully Replicate Human Physiology, They Align With Prior Clinical Observations Linking Erythritol to an Increased Risk of Stroke and Cardiovascular Events.
Expert Takeeways: Moderate SweeTen Intake
Holland Commented that “This Study Offers Valuable Insights into the Potential Risks of Erythritol on Brain Blood Vessel Health, Specially for People Seeking to Improve Or Protect their Vascular and Cognitive Function.”
“The Findings Challenge The Perception of Erythritol As a Harmless Sugar Substitute and Underscore The Need for Moderation, particularly in Those with Risk Factors for Vascular Disease,” I have cautnted.
Berry Agred that Individuals Concerned About Heart or Brain Health Should Considers Limiting Entake, Warning That “Regular Erythritol Consumption May Impair Blood Vessel Health and Function.”
She Stated That “The Most Important Point of Our Study is that non-nutritive Sweeteners, in This Case Erythritol, Can have negative Health Effects.”
“Based on Our Cell Studies and Recent Clinical Studies, People Should Be Conscious of the Amount of Erythritol they are consuming on a Daily Basis,” She Emphasized.
INSERAD OF ERYTHRITOL AND OTHER ARTIFICIAL SWEEETENERS, HOLLAND ADVISED OPTING FOR MORE NATURAL OPTIONS, SUCH AS HONEY OR FRUIT-BASED SWEETERS LIKE DATE SYRUP. These can provide antioxidants when used sparingly, though they still impact blood sugar, he noted.
For Noncaloric Sweeteners, He Said, “Stevia and Monk Fruit Extract Are Wonderful and Appear to Be Safer Choices for Now, as They Don´t Appear to have the Same Adverse Effects on Oxidative Stress OR BLOOD VESSEL HEALTH.
However, “Rediral Reliance on Sweeteners and Focusing on Whole Foods is Likely The Most Effective Path for Long-Term Brain and Vascular Health,” I have concluded.
