The artificial sweetener erythritol and the risk of cardiovascular complications

Erythritol, a widely used artificial sweetener, is commonly added to processed foods and drinks. While naturally produced in small amounts by human metabolism, erythritol’s use as a sugar substitute leads to significantly higher blood concentrations. Studies in the US and Europe show that elevated erythritol levels are linked to an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including death, non-fatal heart attacks, and strokes. Experimental models demonstrated that erythritol enhances platelet reactivity and thrombosis formation. In healthy volunteers, consuming erythritol significantly raised blood levels to thrombosis-enhancing concentrations. These findings suggest that erythritol both elevates cardiovascular risk and promotes clot formation. Further studies are needed to assess its long-term safety.