Latest news with #erythritol
CNET
12-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
The Truth Behind Artificial Sweeteners and Other Risks to Consider
Last March, a new study published in the Nature Metabolism journal concluded that artificial sweeteners, like those in diet soda, can make you feel hungrier. The findings state that sucralose, the artificial sweetener studied, "can affect key mechanisms in the hypothalamus responsible for appetite regulation, and that indulging fair amount of artificial sweeteners may "ultimately influence appetite regulation and metabolic responses over time." The latest research on sucralose isn't the first to suggest that sugar substitutes don't always lead to healthier outcomes. In August of 2024, Cleveland Clinic research found a link between erythritol -- a sugar substitute in many baked goods and sweets -- and a potentially higher risk of cardiovascular events like a stroke or heart attack. Published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, the study found that erythritol had a blood-clotting effect, unlike glucose found in regular sugar. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sugar substitute. Though it occurs naturally in some fruits, it's added to foods in much higher amounts. It's also different from other sugar substitutes like aspartame or sucralose. While the study was small and does not prove causation, its findings are important because of how commonly artificial sweeteners and low-calorie sugar substitutes are touted as the healthier option -- particularly to people and who may already be at a higher risk for heart disease. They've also gained some popularity as a keto-friendly option. The findings add to similar existing research on erythritol and cardiovascular risk done by the clinic which was published in Nature Medicine in 2023. Artificial or low-calorie sweeteners like erythritol are often added to foods like baked of this recent news follows the 2023 advice from the World Health Organization to not use sugar substitutes as a means for long-term weight control or management, as it doesn't tend to work. "Many professional societies and clinicians routinely recommend that people at high cardiovascular risk – those with obesity, diabetes or metabolic syndrome – consume foods that contain sugar substitutes rather than sugar," Dr. Stanley Hazen, senior and corresponding author of the newer erythritol study and chair of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences in Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute, said in Cleveland Clinic news release. "These findings underscore the importance of further long-term clinical studies to assess the cardiovascular safety of erythritol and other sugar substitutes." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people to approach sugar substitutes the same way they should approach real sugar: with moderation. The difference, though, is that low-calorie or zero-calorie sweetener options have different health benefits and risks than regular sugar. And because sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners come in such different forms, it makes the health benefit-risk profile even harder to pin down. Here's what to know. nortonrsx/Getty Images Types of alternative sweeteners Before diving into sugar versus sugar alternatives, it's helpful to know what alternative sweeteners actually are -- there are three types of alternative sweeteners, all with their own uses, benefits and drawbacks. Artificial sweeteners are what most people typically think of when considering sugar alternatives: Splenda (sucralose), Sweet'N Low (saccharin), Equal (aspartame) and Sweet One (acesulfame K). Another, called Newtame, uses a less popular sweetener called neotame. These sweeteners can be 200 to 700 times sweeter than table sugar (sucrose) and they have zero calories, which is why they're called non-nutritive sweeteners. The only exception is aspartame, which does have calories, but the amount is often considered negligible because you need very little aspartame to achieve an intensely sweet taste in foods and drinks. Sugar alcohols are a type of carbohydrate that occurs naturally in plants, but they can also be man-made in labs. Most sugar alcohols are processed from sugars and starches through a chemical manufacturing process. They do contain some calories, although not as many per gram as sugar. Some sugar alcohols you may have seen on food labels include sorbitol, erythritol, maltitol and xylitol: They're really common in sugar-free gum, protein bars, low-calorie ice cream and other processed foods, especially diet foods. You can also find some sugar alcohols in dental products, like toothpaste and mouthwash. They're called sugar alcohols because their chemical structure resembles both sugar and alcohol, but despite the name, these low-calorie sweeteners don't contain ethanol, the type of alcohol that leads to intoxication. Novel sweeteners include newer sugar alternatives that are difficult to place in the above two categories. The most recognizable example: stevia. Stevia, or rather stevia extract, is a popular plant-based sweetener with almost no calories. It doesn't have a chemical structure like artificial non-nutritive sweeteners, nor sugar alcohols -- so it hovers in novel sweetener limbo. Other novel sweeteners include monk fruit extract (a zero-calorie sweetener that comes from a fruit native to China) and tagatose (an artificial sweetener that is actually less sweet than table sugar). The Food and Drug Administration considers all of the above sugar alternatives as "high-intensity sweeteners," and they all come with several pros and cons. Benefits of sugar alternatives Sugar alternatives may be one of the most scrutinized food additives around. Like any food additive, they must be authorized for consumption in the US by the FDA. The FDA currently recognizes many sugar alternatives as safe to eat, and research suggests that they can offer health benefits, especially when used for specific purposes, such as keeping diabetes under control. Could potentially help with (short-term) weight loss or maintenance If you're looking to curb your calorie intake to lose weight, but don't want to give up sweet foods and drinks, sugar substitutes are an easy first tool to try: You get the taste you desire, but without the calories. But recent research has reanalyzed this logic and suggests that alternative sweeteners may not always help with weight loss efforts (more about this under drawbacks on alternative sweeteners below). But for people who are cognizant of their overall food and drink consumption, low- or zero-calorie sweeteners may aid in weight loss. In 2023, the WHO put out a statement saying that nonsugar sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose and stevia shouldn't be used for longterm weight control. (The WHO says this does not apply to low-calorie sugars or sugar alcohols.) If you are trying to lose weight, it's important that you don't inadvertently replace these calories elsewhere. Having a diet sweet tea instead of a regular sweet tea, for example, may lead you to eat more calories because you "saved" some by drinking the diet beverage. Read more: Can Diet Sodas Cause Cancer? Making Sense of the WHO's Aspartame Classification Help to keep blood sugar under control Sugar substitutes can help people with diabetes satisfy cravings without causing rises in blood sugar like real sugar does. A 2012 statement from the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association says that non-nutritive sweeteners can help people reduce their sugar intake and overall calorie intake when used with good judgment, although the benefits won't apply if you overcompensate and get too much sugar from other foods. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about which sugar substitutes or sweeteners you should look for on food labels so you can satisfy your sweet tooth safely, taking your whole health history into account. Good for oral health If one thing is for sure, sugar alternatives can help with dental health. Cavities form when bacteria in your mouth ferment sugar, which creates acid. The acid wears down your teeth, eventually breaking through the enamel and causing a cavity. Since sugar substitutes don't contain sugar, they can help prevent the tooth decay process. Read more: Can Prebiotic Soda Hurt Your Teeth? Here's what Experts Say Sugar alternative drawbacks Equal is another popular alternative sweetener. The original version uses aspartame, a non-nutritive sweetener that's been scrutinized for decades because of reported side effects, such as digestive symptoms. The science on aspartame and potential side effects is still conflicting, and the WHO labeled it as possibly carcinogenic in 2023. Equal Non-nutritive sweeteners, sugar alcohols and novel sweeteners definitely have their advantages, as evidenced above. They have potential pitfalls, too -- not everything about those colorful calorie-free packets is so sweet. May disrupt your gut health Research has shown that some artificial sweeteners (saccharin and sucralose), as well as stevia, can change the composition of your gut. If sweeteners reduce the number of good bacteria and hamper the growth of good bacteria, you may wind up with an imbalanced gut, which can lead to symptoms like cramping, gas and bloating. This 2019 review of studies suggests that some sweeteners can have negative effects while others, specifically sugar alcohols, may have positive effects. Research in animals has also shown negative changes to gut bacteria after consumption of artificial sweeteners, though more research is needed in humans to determine the true long-term effects of sugar alternatives on gut health. Can cause digestive upset Whether or not sweeteners disrupt your gut microbiome, they are known to cause unpleasant digestive symptoms. Most of this evidence is anecdotal, beginning decades ago with complaints about cramps after consuming aspartame. Though more studies are needed to determine the relationship between alternative sweeteners and digestive distress, research does note that some digestive symptoms may be due to changes in the gut bacteria or the way that alternative sweeteners move through your digestive tract. For now, it's best to monitor your symptoms, if any, when you consume different sweeteners (and stay away from the ones that cause distress). Can actually increase cravings for sweets Alternative sweeteners may have few or zero calories, but that doesn't mean your sugar cravings will stop. Research points out that the desire for sweet foods doesn't depend on the origin of the sweetness, and that people can develop cravings for sweet foods even in the absence of calories, likely because that combination -- sweet taste and zero calories -- confuses your body and disrupts appetite regulation. In one eyebrow-raising animal study, rats were allowed to choose between saccharin-sweetened water and intravenous cocaine, and the vast majority (94%) chose sweetened water. The authors note that the same preference was observed with sugar-sweetened water, so it can't be said that artificial sweeteners are more addictive than sugar -- just that sweetness in general can be highly addictive. Linked to longterm weight gain Some research suggests that artificial sweeteners, despite having few or no calories, may lead to weight gain when consumed frequently over time. One study even showed that drinking artificially sweetened soda coincided with an increase in waist circumference nine years later. Another found that people who used non-nutritive sweeteners had a larger increase in BMI than people who didn't consume non-nutritive sweeteners at an eight-year follow-up, except among people who exercised regularly. The reasoning behind this isn't clear, but researchers think it may have to do with metabolic changes induced by alternative sweeteners or because of compensatory behavior -- that is, thinking things like, "I drank a diet soda so I can have extra cake." The takeaway A little bit of sugar won't hurt you, especially in the form of fruit. If you have a medical condition that may be affected by sugar intake, talk to your doctor about consuming proper portions. Getty Images The current consensus is that scientists just don't know enough about the long-term effects of sugar alternatives -- artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols or novel sweeteners -- to make definitive claims, or whether sugar or alternatives are better in the long term. Both sugar and sugar alternatives are OK to eat in moderation -- what truly matters is that you make smart food choices based on your current health status and medical conditions, as well as how sugar or alternative sweeteners make you feel. After all, food is meant to be enjoyed. It's probably a good idea, for example, to stay away from sugar alcohols if you get the laxative effect. Likewise, you may want to limit table sugar if you tend to get sugar headaches or if you have diabetes. But on the tails on more research on cardiovascular risk and one sugar substitute, it's best to speak with your doctor about which sweeteners to choose if you do buy a lot of food marketed for dieting, low-calorie or sugar-free options. If you're worried about the harmful effects of either -- sugar or alternatives -- a good rule of thumb is that whole food is usually better. Choose an apple over apple juice; choose fresh-squeezed lemonade over a zero-calorie lemonade mix; choose homemade granola over store-bought. Most of all, choose whatever best suits your health needs and makes you happy.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent warning as just ONE popular drink can ‘damage your brain and blood vessels'
JUST one energy drink or sugar-free soda containing a key ingredient could damage the brain and blood vessels, researchers have claimed. American scientists linked a common sugar substitute to a higher risk of vascular health issues, including stroke. Erythritol (E968) is an artificial sweetener that commonly replaces sugar in low-calorie, low-carbohydrate and keto products. It tends to be used in energy drinks, protein bars and snack foods and is often marketed as "healthy", according to researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder's Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory. But they claimed that the amount of erythritol found in a single beverage serving may be enough to negatively impact brain and blood vessel health. First author Auburn Berry, a graduate student at the university, said: 'While erythritol is widely used in sugar-free products marketed as healthier alternatives, more research is needed to fully understand its impact on vascular health. 'In general, people should be conscious of the amount of erythritol they are consuming on a daily basis.' The study - presented at the 2025 American Physiology Summit last month - investigated how erythritol affects oxidative stress and nitric oxide production in brain blood vessel cells. Oxidative stress happens when harmful molecules - called free radicals - build up in your body and there aren't enough good molecules - called antioxidants - to stop them. This can damage your cells, leading to ageing and contributing to diseases like cancer, heart problems, or diabetes. Meanwhile, nitric oxide is a gas made by your body that helps your cells communicate. It relaxes and widens your blood vessels, improving blood flow, and plays an important role in keeping your heart, brain, and immune system healthy. TikTok's viral protein Diet Coke trend explained Why doctors warn against mixing protein into your cola They exposed human brain blood vessel cells to an erythritol solution containing roughly the same amount found in an energy drink or artificially sweetened soda - about 30g - and left this in the solution for three hours. They found that exposing cells to that amount of erythritol caused significantly higher levels of oxidative stress, compared to untreated cells. The sweetener-steeped cells produced nearly 100 per cent more free radicals, researchers said. Levels of two key antioxidant enzymes also increased in the erythritol-treated cells, suggesting the cells were responding to the extra oxidative stress, and they produced less nitric oxide. The 3 feared risks of artificial sweeteners They could increase risk of heart attack and stroke Research published earlier this year suggests aspartame, a common sugar substitute, may negatively impact vascular health. It was shown to trigger insulin spikes in mice, which can lead to atherosclerosis - plaque buildup in arteries - and increased inflammation. This could potentially raise the risk of heart attack or stroke, researchers suggested. Researchers fed mice daily doses of food containing 0.15 per cent aspartame for 12 weeks - the equivalent of consuming about three cans of diet soda each day for humans Aspartame-fed mice developed larger and more fatty plaques in their arteries compared to mice who weren't given sweeteners. When the research team analysed the mice's blood, they found a "surge" in insulin levels after aspartame entered their system. They said aspartame - which is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar - seemed to "trick" the receptors into releasing more insulin. The mice's elevated insulin levels appeared to fuel the growth of fatty plaques in their arteries, researchers added. But scientists not involved in the study said you don't need to pour out your diet soda just yet - as we don't yet know whether the artificial sweetener has the same effect on humans. They may increase sugary cravings Some studies link artificial sweeteners to increased appetite and cravings for sugary food. One - published in 2021 - found that sucralose made people feel hungrier. Researcher Professor Kathleen Page said: 'Drinking artificially sweetened drinks may trick the brain into feeling hungry, which may in turn result in more calories being consumed.' However, Gavin Partington, of the British Soft Drinks Association, said the study should be 'treated with caution' because it was based on a 'tiny' number of participants. Other studies suggested that artificial sweeteners can alter people's gut microbiome and cause weight gain. But it should be noted that lots of research supports that sugar substitutes can help with weight loss and maintenance. They may be linked to type 2 diabetes People who regularly consume artificial sweeteners may be more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with a lower intake, a study published in 2023 showed. The additives may stop the body from being able to regulate blood sugar levels healthily, researchers from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital suggested. Prior studies have discovered that the sweeteners saccharin and sucralose can increase the blood sugar levels of healthy people. Researchers said their findings suggested that increased oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide production in brain blood vessel cells - which may impair blood flow - could lead to a higher risk of vascular events like stroke. Dr Berry explained to Medical News Today that the sweetener 'disrupts the production of nitric oxide,' which is vital for the blood vessels to dilate and ensures proper blood flow. This reduction in nitric oxide can impair blood vessel function, disrupt circulation, and potentially cause neurovascular damage, she added. Dr Berry suggested that people concerned about heart or brain health should consider limiting their intake, warning that 'regular erythritol consumption may impair blood vessel health and function'. She told Medical News Today: 'The most important point of our study is that non-nutritive sweeteners, in this case erythritol, can have negative health effects. 'Based on our cell studies and recent clinical studies, people should be conscious of the amount of erythritol they are consuming on a daily basis,' she added. 2 Professor Thomas Holland from the Rush University Medical Centre Institute for Health and Ageing - who was not involved in this study - told the outlet that erythritol could lead to increased rates of cognitive decline. 'Erythritol triggers a surge in harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species which cause cellular damage,' he explained. 'Of particular concern is when these reactive oxygen species cause damage to neural tissue, which can lead to increased rates of cognitive decline. 'Similarly, [reactive oxygen species] can cause damage in various organ systems leading to a slew of disease processes. The body tries to defend against this by increasing its internal antioxidant defenses, but the elevated stress remains.' He advised people go for more natural options like honey or date-syrup, or stevia if they're avoiding sugar. According to the NHS, all sweeteners used in the UK undergo rigorous safety assessments before they can be added to food and drinks. It says all approved sweeteners are considered a safe and acceptable alternative to using sugar, though they don't necessarily make a food or drink healthy. There's no need to keep track of how much sweetener we consume daily, the guidance added. It's not the first time research has linked erythritol to adverse health events. A study published last year linked the sweetener to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Senior author Dr Stanley Hazen, chair of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences in Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute and co-section head of Preventive Cardiology, said: "Many professional societies and clinicians routinely recommend that people at high cardiovascular risk – those with obesity, diabetes or metabolic syndrome – consume foods that contain sugar substitutes rather than sugar. "These findings underscore the importance of further long-term clinical studies to assess the cardiovascular safety of erythritol and other sugar substitutes."
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Low-calorie sweetener may increase risk of stroke
in New York A new study suggests that erythritol, a common sugar substitute, may increase the risk of vascular health issues like stroke. Researchers found that exposure to erythritol levels comparable to those in a single energy drink increased oxidative stress and disrupted nitric oxide production in brain blood vessel cells. Oxidative stress can damage cells, while nitric oxide is crucial for blood vessel dilation and healthy blood flow. This research challenges the perception of erythritol as a harmless sugar substitute and highlights the need for moderation, especially for individuals with vascular disease risk factors, a scientist says. The study's abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit and will be published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Common sugar substitute may contribute to higher risk of vascular scares like stroke, study finds
A common sugar substitute used in sugar-free energy drinks, protein bars and snack foods could contribute to a higher risk of vascular health issues, including stroke, according to a new study. Erythritol, an artificial low-calorie sweetener, is often marketed as 'healthy,' but researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder's Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory found that just one serving of the compound in one beverage could be harmful for brain and blood vessel health. 'While erythritol is widely used in sugar-free products marketed as healthier alternatives, more research is needed to fully understand its impact on vascular health,' said Auburn Berry, lead author of the study. 'In general, people should be conscious of the amount of erythritol they are consuming on a daily basis.' The study's abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit in Baltimore at the end of April and is expected to be published in the Journal of Applied Physiology soon. Researchers wanted to investigate how the sugar substitute impacts oxidative stress – an imbalance of unstable molecules that can damage cells – and nitric oxide production in brain blood vessel cells. They exposed human cells to erythritol solution, amounting to approximately the same quantity found in an energy drink, and left this in the solution for three hours. Researchers said that this exposure caused significantly higher levels of oxidative stress than untreated cells. Berry explained to Medical News Today that the sweetener 'disrupts the production of nitric oxide,' which is vital for the blood vessels to dilate and ensures proper blood flow. Scientist and professor Thomas M. Holland, who was not involved in this study, of the Rush University Medical Center Institute for Health and Aging, also told the outlet that erythritol can lead to increased rates of cognitive decline. 'Erythritol triggers a surge in harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species which cause cellular damage,' he explained. 'Of particular concern is when these reactive oxygen species cause damage to neural tissue, which can lead to increased rates of cognitive decline.' He added: 'Similarly, [reactive oxygen species] can cause damage in various organ systems leading to a slew of disease processes. The body tries to defend against this by increasing its internal antioxidant defenses, but the elevated stress remains.' Holland also said that the findings 'challenge' the perception that erythritol is 'a harmless sugar substitute' and 'underscore the need for moderation, particularly in those with risk factors for vascular disease.'
