Is That “Healthy” Sugar Substitute Quietly Sabotaging Your Brain? The Truth Inside!
If you’re trying to cut back on the amount of added sugar you’re consuming, it makes sense to try to swap out some of your favorites for “sugar-free” or “no-sugar” options. But while these swaps seem like the best solution, a growing body of research suggests that erythritol—one common sugar substitute—may not be the best for your health. And now, there’s another study to add to the mix.
New research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology links the sugar alcohol to brain cell damage, which can ultimately raise your risk of stroke. Erythritol is present in a ton of no-sugar snacks and drinks, making the findings a bit alarming. Experts say you should definitely pay attention to these findings, so here’s what they want you to know.
Meet the experts: Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy; Christopher Yi, MD, a vascular surgeon at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA
What did the study find?
For the study, researchers treated human cells that line the blood vessels in the brain with erythritol for three hours in a lab. They used the same amount of the sugar alcohol that is contained in a standard sugar-free drink during those treatments.
The researchers discovered that the treated cells went through a few different alternations. One was that they expressed less nitric oxide, which is a molecule that relaxes and widens blood vessels, as well as more endothelin-1, a protein that narrows blood vessels. When levels of nitric oxide are lower, it can interfere with blood flow and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The cells also had a “blunted” reaction with production of a clot-busting compound when the cells were exposed to a compound called thrombin, which forms clots. The cells even caused oxidative stress and produced more free radicals, which are linked to bodily inflammation and cellular aging.
“Erythritol, a common non-nutritive sweetener, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events,” the study states.
What is erythritol?
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001. It has almost no calories and is about 80 percent as sweet as table sugar, explains Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy.
It’s also low on the glycemic index, meaning it’s unlikely to mess with your blood sugar, Keatley says.
What foods contain erythritol?
The sweetener is found in a lot of sugar-free or low-sugar products, like baked goods, beverages, candies, and gum, per Keatley.
It’s specifically the go-to sweetener in foods like Halo Top ice cream, Vitaminwater Zero, and Quest bars, to name a few.
Why is it bad for your brain cell health?
There are a few things that may be happening here, according to Christopher Yi, MD, a vascular surgeon at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. One is that erythritol may cause oxidative stress by disrupting how cells produce energy. As a result, erythritol may “overwhelm” the cells’ natural antioxidant defenses. “It can also lower levels of nitric oxide—a compound that helps protect cells and blood vessels,” he says. Together, this leads to a buildup of harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, which can raise the risk of blood vessel and cardiovascular issues, Yi says.
Erythritol may also directly increase inflammation in your body, raising your risk of developing a host of health conditions, Keatley says.
Ultimately, experts say it’s probably a good idea to at least be aware of how much erythritol you’re consuming on a regular basis. “When in doubt, moderation is best,” Yi says.
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