Consuming erythritol more than doubled blood clot risk in a study of 10 healthy people, raising concerns over its safety.
Blood clots can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Previous research also linked erythritol to a higher risk of these life-threatening events.
Unlike glucose, erythritol significantly increased platelet activity, leading to heightened clotting, according to the study.
The Calorie Control Council argues that erythritol is safe, citing 30 years of research, but the study raises new concerns.
The study used 30 grams of erythritol, equivalent to amounts in common sugar-free products like sodas and keto ice creams.
Erythritol, a sugar alcohol, is used to sweeten low-carb products. It’s 70% as sweet as sugar but considered zero-calorie.
Despite being small, the study’s findings are significant, prompting questions about the long-term safety of erythritol.
For those at risk of heart disease, occasional sugar-sweetened treats may be safer than foods sweetened with sugar alcohols like erythritol.