Sweet but risky? Stevia has been linked with brain stroke
But a recent study has shaken things up, linking erythritol, a sweetener blended with Stevia in commercial products, to potential risks that could affect the brain's vascular system. The word "stroke" instantly grabs attention, and rightly so. But it's important to understand the reasoning behind it.
What did scientists really do?
This study was conducted in vitro, meaning it was done outside the human body, specifically in a lab, using cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs).
These are the same types of cells that line blood vessels in the brain and help regulate things like blood flow and clotting.
Researchers treated these cells with erythritol in quantities equivalent to what's found in a standard artificially sweetened drink (around 30g of erythritol). The goal? To observe how this sweetener affects oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO) production, and markers that influence blood clotting and vessel function.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Spike in oxidative stress
One of the most striking findings was a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), basically, unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, damaging cells over time. The oxidative stress levels were double in erythritol-treated cells compared to untreated ones.
This triggered the cells to produce more antioxidant proteins like superoxide dismutase-1 and catalase, which act like emergency fire extinguishers in the body.
But if the fire is too strong, even more antioxidants might not be enough. The takeaway? This oxidative imbalance may weaken the blood-brain barrier over time, possibly contributing to neurovascular issues like stroke.
Why blood flow suffers
Nitric oxide (NO) is crucial, it helps relax blood vessels, ensuring smooth blood flow. The study found that NO production dropped in erythritol-treated brain cells, even though the main enzyme that produces it (eNOS) didn't change much.
The twist? The phosphorylated forms of eNOS (the active and inactive switches) were altered, one became less active, the other more inhibitory. This disrupted signaling means the vessels may not relax properly, increasing the risk of clot formation or vascular stiffness, both red flags for ischemic stroke.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
84% of techies in Hyderabad have fatty liver, says JP Nadda in Lok Sabha
Hyderabad: Union health and family welfare minister JP Nadda on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that 118 IT employees in Hyderabad were found to have metabolic syndrome associated with fatty liver disease. He was responding to queries from Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who asked whether the govt was aware of a recent research that found 84% of IT employees surveyed in Hyderabad had Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), and 71% were obese, and the steps being taken by the govt. JP Nadda, in a written reply, stated: "As per the study published in Nature Scientific Reports Journal in 2025 titled 'Prevalence of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease among Information Technology Employees in India,' involving 345 IT employees in Hyderabad, Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) was present in 118 (34.20%) of the employees. A total of 290 (84.06%) employees had increased liver fat accumulation, which indicates a high prevalence of MAFLD among IT employees. " You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He further said that an ICMR study, conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Liver and Biliary Science, Delhi, under the Indian Metabolic and Liver Disease (IMELD) Phase-I, aimed to understand regional risk factors for Fatty Liver Disease (FLD), Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), Diabetes Mellitus (DM), and Hypertension (HTN) in various villages. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "The Union health ministry issued operational guidelines for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, which provides for a healthy diet, regular physical activity, weight management, and reduced sugar/saturated fat consumption for the prevention and management of NAFLD. Further, States and Union Territories have been requested to undertake screening and risk stratification by the health care providers as per the guidelines and guide appropriate referrals," Nadda added.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Min defends show-cause notice to doc
T'puram: Health minister Veena George said on Friday that a probe team investigating the alleged shortcomings in the urology department of Thiruvananthapuram Govt Medical College Hospital reported that a part of costly equipment in the department was missing. The probe team was set up following urology head Dr Haris Chirackal's revelation about the lack of medical equipment and emergency facilities at the MCH. Veena stated that a departmental inquiry would be conducted as the missing part of the medical equipment, brought using an MP's fund, might have been stolen. If necessary, a police complaint would be registered after the departmental inquiry. The public revelation by Dr Haris, known for his integrity and commitment to patients, has put the health department and the govt in a tight spot. Ever since Dr Haris tried to expose the poor facilities and their grave impact on patients, the govt's response to Haris remained mercurial. Veena mentioned that the show-cause notice issued to Dr Haris was part of the routine procedure. The notice was served based on the probe team's findings that the senior doctor's open criticism of the department and the system in place amounted to indiscipline and a violation of the code of conduct for govt employees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo The health department's additional chief secretary issued the notice asking him to show reasons why action should not be taken against him for criticising the govt in violation of the Kerala Government Servants' Conduct Rules, 1960, causing disgrace to the govt. Meanwhile, Dr Haris told reporters that he would submit the reply to the show-cause notice next week. On the allegation about missing equipment, Dr Haris said nobody should play with the lives of poor patients. He mentioned that the doctors who were in the probe team were known to him for years and they would not put him in a bad light. Will oppose move against doc: Opposition leader Meanwhile, opposition leader V D Satheesan said the UDF would fight the move to initiate action against Dr Haris. "The opposition will strongly react against the unfortunate situation where a doctor is being persecuted for speaking the truth. A doctor who revealed the happenings in the health sector should not be made a scapegoat. Instead of using his revelations positively, there is an attempt to hunt him down. The govt is taking steps to ensure no other doctor speaks out. The govt has twisted the situation to the extent of accusing the doctor of theft," Satheesan said. "In the past two years, the govt owes Rs 1,100cr to the medical services corporation. The payments from previous years are also pending. As a result, no major company is supplying medicines," he said. On the controversy in Kerala University, Satheesan said, "The govt should resolve the issue between the chief minister and the governor. Two of the participants in the RSS's Gyan Sabha were appointed by the Pinarayi govt." On the construction of houses for landslide survivors in Wayanad, Satheesan said Congress and the League will build a hundred houses each. "Why hasn't the govt utilised the Rs 742cr? They are not even paying rent. No assistance, including medical aid, is being provided. Not a single house has been built. I handed over the keys to 14 houses built by a private organization," he said.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Over 12k anganwadi centres to be upgraded
Bhubaneswar: As many as 12,140 anganwadi centres (AWCs) in Odisha will be upgraded to Saksham anganwadis, minister of state for women and child development Savitri Thakur told the Lok Sabha on Friday. Saksham anganwadis are established for improved nutrition delivery and for early childhood care and development under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Saksham anganwadis are equipped with infrastructure better than the conventional AWCs by providing LED screens, water purifiers/installation of reverse osmosis (RO) machines, Poshan Vatika, early childhood care and education (ECCE), and building as learning aid (BALA) paintings. Pre-requisites for an anganwadi centre to be considered for upgradation to a Saksham anganwadi centre include a govt-owned building, availability of electricity/power supply, drinking water facility, and functional toilet and kitchen. As of now, a total of two lakh AWCs have been approved for upgradation as Saksham AWCs, including 12,140 in Odisha. The govt will upgrade 1,136 AWCs to Saksham anganwadis in Koraput district, followed by Nabarangpur's 875, Kandhamal's 865, and Kalahandi's 794 AWCs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You will never turn off your computer again. Undo A total of AWCs functioning in Kalahandi district is 2,377, out of which 23 AWCs are functioning without pucca buildings, six are functioning without a drinking water facility, and 1,254 are functioning without toilets, as per data available on Poshan Tracker for June 2025, said the minister in her reply.
