Bold claim: A popular natural sweetener might be doing more harm than good. A new study suggests erythritol, a low-calorie sugar substitute used widely in diet foods and beverages, could be linked to higher stroke risk and may harm the brain’s protective barrier.
Researchers at the University of Colorado conducted lab experiments that found erythritol can impair important functions in human blood vessel cells. This finding adds to prior work showing that higher levels of circulating erythritol are associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). MACE is an umbrella term that includes acute coronary syndromes or heart disease, stroke, non-fatal heart attacks, and cardiovascular death.
Erythritol typically appears as a white powder and can resemble sugar, though it is about 60–70% as sweet. It contains no calories, does not raise blood sugar levels, and doesn’t contribute to tooth decay. You’ll commonly see it in sugar-free, diet, or keto-friendly products, spanning ice cream, baked goods, energy drinks, and soft drinks.
How erythritol might affect the brain
The brain is guarded by the blood-brain barrier, a semipermeable shield that blocks harmful substances. The study indicates several ways erythritol could impact this barrier:
- It may raise oxidative stress, overwhelming the cells’ natural defenses, even though antioxidant responses were activated. The damage isn’t fully neutralized.
- During exercise, blood vessels normally dilate to boost oxygen delivery, but erythritol appeared to hinder this process, potentially reducing blood flow to the brain when it’s most needed.
- It may interfere with the body’s emergency response to blood clots, increasing the risk that clots obstruct vessels.
Earlier laboratory work from 2023 showed that people in the highest quarter of erythritol levels in their blood had a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared with those in the lowest quarter.
While the Colorado team and independent researchers emphasize that more work is needed to determine consumption thresholds that materially raise stroke risk, it’s useful to be aware of potential risks associated with artificial sweeteners.
Bottom line: being mindful about erythritol consumption may be prudent as researchers continue to clarify its long-term cardiovascular and brain effects. If you’re juggling sugar substitutes, consider this information as one more factor in making informed choices about your diet.
