Sugar Substitute Concerns: Brain Blood Vessel Health at Risk

New research unveils potential dangers of a widely-used sweetener.

A common sugar alternative could be detrimental to the brain’s blood vessels, according to recent research. This study suggests the sweetener erythritol may impede cellular functions crucial for maintaining healthy blood flow in the brain.

Erythritol’s Impact on Brain Health

Scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder discovered that erythritol stimulates the production of vasoconstrictive peptides. This leads to increased oxidative stress, disrupts nitric oxide signaling, and impairs clot-dissolving capabilities in human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Erythritol is prevalent in numerous low-calorie drinks, diabetic-friendly baked goods, and protein bars.

“Exact quotation with Person Name bolded.”

—Person Name, Title

Erythritol, due to its sweetness-to-calorie ratio and negligible effect on blood glucose, is a popular choice. Furthermore, the body also synthesizes it from glucose and fructose through the pentose phosphate pathway.

According to the American Heart Association, in 2023, nearly half of adults in the U.S. had some form of cardiovascular disease (Source 2023).

Additional Findings

Previous studies have revealed that individuals who consume a higher intake of erythritol may trigger cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Despite these concerns, other research has shown a positive impact from erythritol, which has been associated with a reduction in heart attack and stroke incidence.

Further details of the study are available in the Journal of Applied Physiology.