Popular Artificial Sweetener Linked to Dangerous Heart Risk
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 14, 2024
Remember when erythritol was the darling of the health food world?
Well, this popular sugar substitute might not be as sweet a deal as we were led to believe…
A shocking new study reveals a dark side to this widely used artificial sweetener.
It turns out erythritol is associated with a dangerous—and even deadly—heart risk.
First, let’s start by breaking down what erythritol is.
Erythritol is a type of sugar alcohol commonly used as a nonnutritive sweetener in sugar-free or reduced-sugar foods and drinks. You’ll find it in everything from sugar-free gum to diet sodas and so-called “healthy” baked goods.
Erythritol is popular because it doesn’t raise blood sugar levels, making it seem like an excellent option for people watching their sugar intake.
But here’s where it gets concerning. A new study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology uncovered a potential link between erythritol and an increased risk of blood clots.
The researchers found that a group of folks consuming erythritol had significantly more active platelets and increased blood clot formation than those who didn’t eat the sweetener.
The study suggests that a typical serving of erythritol (such as the amount you’d get in a sugar-free soda or muffin) could significantly increase your active platelet activity.
This, in turn, increases the risk of blood clots, potentially raising your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Now, I know this news might be frightening, but there’s no need to panic. Instead, let’s go over a few simple steps you can take starting today that will put you back in the driver’s seat.
- Read labels carefully: Check ingredient lists for erythritol, especially in products marketed as sugar-free or low-sugar.
- Gradually reduce use: Try slowly decreasing the amount of sweetener and artificially sweetened products you eat to allow your taste buds to adjust.
- Stay hydrated: Proper hydration can help ease some of the digestive issues associated with sugar alcohols like erythritol. And water can help even out blood sugar reducing cravings for sweets. Plus, water can help even out blood sugar, reducing cravings for sweets
- Focus on whole foods: Eat a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods to naturally reduce your intake of added sweeteners.
The findings in this new study ARE concerning. However, the truth is that more research is needed to fully understand what happens when you eat erythritol over time.
So, for now, it’s best to be careful when using it, especially if you already have heart disease risk factors.
Remember, you don’t need to completely eliminate erythritol from your diet overnight.
But the next time you reach for that sugar-free treat, take a moment to consider what’s really in it and opt for a healthier choice.
P.S. Another “safe” sweetener puts you in HARM’s way.
Source:
Marco Witkowski, Jennifer Wilcox, Valesha Province, Zeneng Wang, et al., Ingestion of the Non-Nutritive Sweetener Erythritol, but Not Glucose, Enhances Platelet Reactivity and Thrombosis Potential in Healthy Volunteers—Brief Report, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2024;44:2136–2141
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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