12/30/2025
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🤔🧠A popular sugar substitute may not be as harmless as it seems.
New research from the University of Colorado Boulder shows that erythritol—a common sweetener found in many “sugar-free” and “keto” products—may alter brain blood vessel cells in ways that could increase the risk of stroke.
In lab tests, just one serving’s worth of erythritol caused blood vessels to constrict, reduced the production of natural clot-busting compounds, and increased levels of cell-damaging free radicals.
This could explain why a recent study involving 4,000 people found those with high levels of erythritol in their blood were more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke in the following years.
Erythritol is FDA-approved, low in calories, and doesn’t spike blood sugar—traits that have made it popular among people managing diabetes or following low-carb diets. But this study highlights the need for caution. The researchers urge consumers to monitor their intake and read labels carefully.
While more human studies are needed, these early findings suggest that the cost of sugar-free sweetness may be higher than we thought.
Do you check labels for sweeteners like erythritol? What are your thoughts on these findings?
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only.