Mar HicksFeb 28, 2023

“A sugar replacement called erythritol has been linked to blood clotting, stroke, heart attack and death, according to a new study. ‘The degree of risk was not modest,’ said lead author Dr. Stanley Hazen”

Wow. This is important news if you use sweeteners that may contain erythritol. Or regularly have drinks/other products possibly sweetened with it. Check your ingredients list carefully.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/27/health/zero-calorie-sweetener-heart-attack-stroke-wellness/index.html

Show threadMar HicksFeb 28, 2023
As the article notes, many products that advertise themselves as sweetened with stevia or monkfruit are actually mostly sweetened w/ erythritol (which is cheaper to produce). Be sure to read labels if you’re concerned about this risk. The study found even “normal” amounts appear to heighten risk.
Show threadMar HicksFeb 28, 2023
“In a final part of the study, eight healthy volunteers drank a beverage that contained 30 grams of erythritol, the amount many people in the US consume, Hazen said, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which examines American nutrition each year.”
Show threadMar HicksFeb 28, 2023
“Blood tests over the next 3 days tracked erythritol levels & clotting risk. ‘30 grams was enough to make blood levels of erythritol go up 1000fold,’ Hazen said. ‘It remained elevated above the threshold necessary to trigger & heighten clotting risk for the following 2-3 days’”
Show threadMar HicksFeb 28, 2023
“Just how much is 30 grams of erythritol? The equivalent of eating a pint of keto ice cream, Hazen said…‘[My co-author] found a ‘confectionery’ marketed to people with diabetes that had about 75 grams of erythritol.’”
Show threadMar HicksFeb 28, 2023
“‘I normally don’t get up on a pedestal and sound the alarm,’ Hazen said. ‘But this is something that I think we need to be looking at carefully.’”
Show threadMar HicksFeb 28, 2023
To clarify re: labels—the ingredients on back must list erythritol, but often the front of the package makes it seem like another sweetener is the main ingredient. Example: this talks all about Stevia on front but from the back you can see it’s mostly (5g out of 7g) erythritol:
Show threadLouise Auerhahn 🏳️‍🌈

@histoftech wow! An effect as strong as diabetes on cardio health sounds like no joke.

Just checked & none of my drinks have erythritol, but the "stevia & monk fruit" sweetener I use for tea does, plus some of the foods I buy for high fiber content.

Feb 28, 2023 at 4:30amWeb