Learn to recognize the symptoms
Whether you've heard of it or not, erythritol is something you've likely ingested many times. This common artificial sweetener has been the subject of recent studies that suggest it's not the healthy sugar alternative it was once believed to be. Though more studies are needed, research suggests that erythritol is linked to serious, life-altering illnesses.
Curious to learn more about this potential threat to your health? Click through now.
Erythritol is a common artificial sweetener and a popular ingredient in many foods that are marketed as weight-loss, keto-friendly, or for diabetes management. Erythritol is an artificial sweetener known as alcohol sugar, though it doesn't actually contain sugar or alcohol.
Other common sugar alcohols include sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, and isomalt.
Products labeled as having "no sugar" or "less sugar" can be misleading. There is growing evidence that artificial sweeteners can be worse for you than your standard, everyday table sugar.
Sugar alcohols aren't as sweet as regular sugar. Artificial sugar, on the other hand, can be up to 700 times sweeter than sugar!
Erythritol and other sugar alcohols are naturally produced by our bodies. Additionally, erythritol is commercially manufactured through a corn fermentation process.
Sugar alcohols, including erythritol, have been known to cause digestive issues for some. What's more, research has linked erythritol to much more serious issues.
Research shows that erythritol of "major adverse cardiovascular events." It has connected erythritol with serious risks like heart attack and stroke.
In a study led by Dr. Stanley Hazen of the Cleveland Clinic and his team, over 4,000 people in the US and Europe were examined.
They were looking for compounds in the blood that predicted the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke in the future. The top factor that showed up multiple times was erythritol.
The research team went a step further and tested erythritol in non-human experiments. They observed that erythritol increased the formation of blood clots, and when it was added to blood samples outside the body, it caused the blood to "clump together." This means that it lowered the threshold for activating platelets, which are key in blood clotting.
Platelets are small components in our blood that rush to the site of an injury and cause the blood to clot so that we don't bleed out.
When platelets are activated in our bodies, blood clots happen and they can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
One serving of erythritol in certain processed food products that claim to be "keto-friendly" can make blood levels of erythritol go up 1,000-fold, which is above the levels linked to clotting risks.
Dr. Hazen made it clear that more studies will be needed to confirm the results but that the initial findings should be taken as a serious warning.
Erythritol is often used as a replacement for table sugar in low-calorie and low-sugar products.
Sugar-free products containing erythritol are often recommended for obese people and those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome who want to help manage their sugar intake.
The FDA lists erythritol in the category of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). This means that long-term studies of erythritol aren't currently required and that food companies don't have to list it on their nutrition labels.
The FDA considers erythritol safe because it's a naturally occurring compound. While that may be true, the quantity used in foods is often much higher than what is natural and known to be safe for your body.
Though many food products may not state that they have erythritol in them, there are some items where it's commonly found. Examples include sugar-free ice cream, candy, gum, cookies, and energy drinks.
Some red flags or words you should be aware of if you see them are "contains sugar alcohol," "keto-safe," "no sugar," and other similar phrases.
Additional giveaway phrases include things like "naturally sweetened," "sweetened with natural compounds," "low-calorie," or "no calories."
It's an unfortunate reality that many people are buying these products labeled with the aforementioned "warning words" in order to try and do something good for their health. By trying to make positive changes, they may actually put putting themselves at risk.
Even though some can be still tough to decipher, try reading food labels for clues or indicators that they might contain a sugar substitute or sugar alcohol.
One way to avoid erythritol is to focus your diet on whole foods such as natural, non-packaged fruits and vegetables.
At one point or another, most of us crave something a little sweet. It's best to use stevia in a dropper (not a packet).
If you have questions or need further help avoiding artificial sweeteners and alcohol sugars, try talking with a certified dietitian who can help you learn more about food choices tailored to your needs.
A lot of health insurance agencies cover the cost of meeting with a dietitian. This can be the first step in the right direction for your health and wellness.
Sources: (Cleveland Clinic)
Study reveals possible health risks of low-calorie sweetener erythritol
Be on the lookout for this artifical sweetener
HEALTH Diet
Whether you've heard of it or not, erythritol is something you've likely ingested many times. This common artificial sweetener has been the subject of recent studies that suggest it's not the healthy sugar alternative it was once believed to be. Though more studies are needed, research suggests that erythritol is linked to serious, life-altering illnesses.
Curious to learn more about this potential threat to your health? Click through now.