Beware of artificial sweeteners: they increase the risk of stroke and heart attack

A recent study showed that erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes.

“The degree of risk was not normal,” said Dr. Stanley Hazen, chief of the department of cardiovascular disease at the Cleveland Clinic Research Institute.

The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, revealed that people with risk factors such as diabetes were more likely to have a heart attack or stroke if they had high levels of erythritol in their blood. CNN.

Hazen explained that if the level of erythritol in the blood is higher than 25 percent, there is twice the risk of having a heart attack or stroke compared to someone with a level less than 25 percent.

Laboratory and animal research has also revealed that erythritol may cause platelets to clot more easily, and thus may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

While Dr. Andrew Freeman, Head of Cardiovascular Diseases and Health at National Jewish Health, said, “This certainly sounds the alarm, the risk of blood clots from erythritol use is clear. It’s true that we need more studies, but it makes sense to limit the use of erythritol.” This sweetener is in the diet right now.”

In response to the study, Executive Director of the Calorie Control Council (an industry consortium), Robert Rankin, told CNN, “The results of the study contradict decades of scientific research on low-calorie artificial sweeteners such as erythritol, which has permission to use. Therefore, the results should not be shared.” with the population because the participants already had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.”

And “erythritol” is a sugar alcohol found in many vegetables and fruits, and according to experts, “70 percent of its taste is sweet, but it is considered calorie-free.”

It has become one of the most popular products used as an additive in the keto diet and other low-carb products and foods marketed to diabetics.

To confirm the results, Hazen tested another set of blood samples from about 2,100 people in the United States, in addition to 833 samples from Europe since 2018. The results revealed that about three-quarters of the participants suffered from coronary artery disease or high pressure, and five of them had diabetes. . It should be noted that a quarter of the participants were males, between the ages of 60 and 70.