Named a popular sugar substitute that can lead to stroke

Popular sugar substitute may pose a threat to brain vessel health - study by scientists from Colorado

Researchers from the University of Colorado have identified a concerning link between erythritol - a widely used sweetener in "healthy" products - and potential problems with blood vessels in the brain. The results of the scientific work are published in the prestigious Journal of Applied Physiology (JAP).

Laboratory tests have shown that this substance can seriously disrupt the normal functioning of brain vessels and contribute to the formation of dangerous blood clots.

In experiments, brain vessel cells were exposed to erythritol in an amount equivalent to one sweetened drink. The discovered changes cause serious concern: oxidative stress increased by 75%, production of nitric oxide, responsible for vessel dilation, decreased by 20%. At the same time, the production of substances causing vessel constriction increased by 30%, and the natural mechanisms for dissolving blood clots were disrupted.

"All these changes together create perfect conditions for stroke development," warns Auburn Berry, who leads the research group.

Erythritol is now included in many products for diabetics and keto diet adherents. It can be found in chewing gums, soft drinks, and desserts labeled "sugar-free."

Scientists emphasize that the studies were conducted only on cell cultures, not on living organisms. For a full understanding of the risks, additional research is needed to determine the effects of different doses on the body, long-term effects of regular consumption, and identify groups of people at increased risk.