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- heart attacks
- blood clots
- strokes
While that study didn’t prove erythritol causes those events, the connection was strong enough that many scientists took notice.
The new study adds a missing piece: a biological explanation for how erythritol might influence the body in ways that raise cardiovascular risk.
It’s not proof, but it’s a compelling clue.
Why Erythritol Is Everywhere
Understanding the concern also means understanding why erythritol became so popular:
- Zero calories
- Doesn’t spike blood sugar
- Doesn’t cause cavities
- Often labeled as “natural”
- Works well in keto and low-carb diets
- Tastes very similar to sugar
Food companies love it because it’s easy to use, tastes good, and helps products appeal to health-conscious consumers.
The problem is that the amount people consume today is far beyond what humans ever got naturally from fruit. The body isn’t used to such high levels — especially daily, sometimes in several products at once.
How Erythritol Behaves Inside the Body
Erythritol is absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly — faster than many other sweeteners. What makes it stand out is that the body doesn’t metabolize it. Instead:
- You eat it.
- It enters your bloodstream almost unchanged.
- Your body eventually flushes it out through urine.
But while it’s circulating in the blood, it interacts with tissues and cells — including those making up the blood–brain barrier.
This means erythritol has plenty of time to influence vascular health, especially in people who consume it often.
The Bigger Picture: Sweeteners and the Brain
This isn’t the first time artificial or low-calorie sweeteners have raised concerns.
Previous research has linked various sweeteners to:
- altered gut bacteria
- increased cravings
- metabolic changes
- headaches
- disrupted glucose tolerance