Zero-Calorie Sweetener Linked to Blood Clots and Heart Disease Risk

Erythritol May Increase Clotting and Cardiovascular Risks

A new study has raised concerns about erythritol, a popular zero-calorie sweetener found in many keto and low-carb products. The study found that consuming erythritol may significantly increase the risk of blood clotting, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Erythritol and Blood Clots

The study involved 10 healthy participants who drank a beverage containing erythritol. The results showed that erythritol more than doubled the risk of blood clotting in all participants. Blood clots can block blood vessels, potentially leading to heart attacks if they reach the heart, or strokes if they reach the brain. This is not the first time erythritol has been linked to cardiovascular risks. Previous research also connected erythritol consumption with a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and death.

Dr. Stanley Hazen, the lead author of the study and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention at the Cleveland Clinic, said, “In every single subject, every measure of platelet responsiveness (clotting) went up following erythritol ingestion.”

In contrast, another group of participants who consumed a similar drink with glucose (sugar) did not show any increase in blood clotting activity. “Glucose doesn’t impact clotting, but erythritol does,” Hazen added.

Concerns Over Safety

The study has sparked debate among health experts. Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, described the findings as “very intriguing and interesting,” and questioned the safety of sugar alcohols like erythritol.

However, the Calorie Control Council, an industry association, defended erythritol, citing 30 years of research that deem the sweetener safe and effective. The council’s president, Carla Saunders, urged consumers to interpret the study results cautiously, pointing out that the participants consumed nearly four times the maximum amount of erythritol typically approved in a single beverage.

Common Uses of Erythritol

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and the human body produces it in small amounts as a byproduct of glucose metabolism. In its artificial form, erythritol is mass-produced and used in many “natural” sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit. It is popular in keto-friendly products, including ice creams and baked goods, due to its ability to sweeten without adding calories or spiking blood sugar.

According to Dr. Hazen, erythritol is a key ingredient in many keto products, with a typical pint of keto ice cream containing between 26 and 45 grams of the sweetener.

The Study’s Findings

The study, published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, involved 20 participants who fasted overnight before drinking a beverage with either 30 grams of erythritol or 30 grams of sugar. Blood tests taken 30 minutes later showed that erythritol levels in the blood increased by a thousandfold, while blood sugar levels only rose slightly in the glucose group.

The most concerning finding was the increased platelet activity, which indicates a higher risk of blood clot formation. Similar results were observed in a previous study by Hazen and his colleagues, where eight healthy volunteers experienced the same spike in erythritol levels and an increased clotting risk.

The earlier study also analyzed the blood of over 4,000 people in the U.S. and Europe, finding that those with the highest levels of erythritol were twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.

Implications for Heart Health

The findings suggest that even healthy individuals may face risks from consuming erythritol. Dr. Hazen emphasized that, given the high prevalence of heart disease risk factors in the general population, including obesity and diabetes, more people should be cautious about their intake of erythritol.

He advised that occasional treats sweetened with sugar may be safer for those at risk of cardiovascular disease compared to regular consumption of foods and drinks containing sugar alcohols.

“Cardiovascular disease builds over time, and heart disease is the leading cause of death globally,” Hazen said. “We need to make sure the foods we eat aren’t hidden contributors.”

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References:

• Cleveland Clinic. Research and Study Findings, July 2023.
• Journal of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. Study Publication, July 2023.