A common sweetener may significantly increase cardiovascular risk, according to a new study. Image credit: PatriciaEnciso/Getty Images.

Researchers investigated the link between the common artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular risk.
They found that erythritol is linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
Further studies are needed to confirm the results.

Individuals with metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity are often advisedTrusted Source to consume products that replace sugars with artificial sweeteners to improve blood sugar levels and facilitate weight loss.

However, there are no long-term clinical trials examining the safety of most sweeteners. Some studies suggest that certain sweeteners may be linked to weight gain, cardiovascular diseaseTrusted Source, and type 2 diabetesTrusted Source.

Erythritol is a commonly used artificial sweetener. Although naturally present in small amounts in fruits and vegetables, it is often added to processed foods in 1,000 times higher quantities.

While some studies show that erythritol may have antioxidant effects in animal modelsTrusted Source of diabetes, others show that it may be linked to increased weight gain in college students, and to the onset of type 2 diabetesTrusted Source.

Further study of the effects of erythritol on cardiometabolic risk could inform healthful dietary practices.

‘A convincing argument’

Recently, researchers examined the link between erythritol consumption and cardiovascular risk.

They found that erythritol consumption increases cardiovascular risk, including the risk of a heart attack or stroke, thrombosis (blood clotting), and death related to a cardiovascular event.

This article was written by Medical News Today.

Common sweetener erythritol tied to higher risk of stroke and heart attack