Substitute

Sweeteners are repeatedly touted as a better alternative to sugar. But according to a new study, a substitute could even be dangerous.

Those who want to do without sugar and live a healthier life often rely on products with sweeteners. Unfortunately, even these substitutes are not necessarily better for your health. According to a new study, one of these substances could possibly even provoke cardiovascular diseases.

Specifically, it is the sugar substitute erythritol (also erythritol or E 968), a so-called sugar alcohol that is repeatedly marketed as “healthy” and is also recommended for patients with diabetes, overweight and cardiovascular diseases.

In the current study, a team of researchers from the Cleveland Clinic in the US state of Ohio examined blood samples from around 4,000 people at high risk of cardiovascular disease. The scientists found that serious complications such as heart attacks or strokes occurred in the participants who had a high concentration of erythritol in their blood.

Using laboratory experiments on cells, the team was able to determine that the sweetener can apparently cause the blood to clot. To do this, the researchers added erythritol to whole blood and previously isolated platelets. Platelets are responsible for closing wounds in the body by forming a blood clot.

What is desirable in wound healing can become dangerous when it occurs in the bloodstream. Because clots can block cerebral arteries or coronary arteries and thus lead to a stroke or heart attack.

According to the study, it doesn’t even take large amounts of the sweetener to clump. Eight participants exceeded the clot thresholds with as little as 30 grams of sweetener. Due to the small number of subjects and the general study design, however, no clear connection can be proven. However, the results can serve as an indication of possible interactions.

Adding to the health concerns of erythritol is the fact that the body has difficulty metabolizing the sweetener. In addition, the body also forms erythritol naturally, which can lead to the concentration of the substance adding up.

Despite the current findings, the researchers say it is important “that further safety studies be conducted to investigate the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners in general and erythritol in particular on the risk of heart attack and stroke.” In the process, the focus must be placed primarily on healthy people in order to rule out distortion due to previous illnesses.

Other experts are also rather skeptical about the study. dr Stefan Kabisch from the Berlin Charité told the “Pharmazeutische Zeitung” that only a quarter of the subjects had a “significantly increased cardiovascular risk”, “Three quarters of the subjects examined had a comparably normal risk.”

The experimental erythritol dose is also in the extreme range, which most people with today’s usual dietary patterns would not reach. It is still too early to warn about the sweetener.