Erythritol, a common artificial sweetener, may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (i.e., heart attack and stroke). Since erythritol is not heavily metabolized and is excreted in the urine, the FDA classifies it as “generally recognized as safe.”
Just drinking a beverage with erythritol increased blood levels of erythritol for several days. Combine that with the fact that these levels were well above the amount that causes increased platelet function (the cells in our body which contribute to clotting) and thus the potential for clots which increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. This is an issue as the population most likely to use erythritol are those with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, such as those with diabetes, obesity, a history of cardiovascular disease, and individuals with kidney issues. These people have a higher risk of forming dangerous clots, and now you add something that increases that already elevated issue of clot formation.
Our body does actually produce some erythritol. Additionally, it occurs naturally in nature in fruits and vegetables. However, these do not typically produce the elevated levels that the large amounts added to processed food and drink do.
As a result of the fact that it does not increase blood glucose (sugar) and is not metabolized, companies are not required to list how much has been added to foods.
Oddly enough, there is not a great deal of scientific research on the cardiovascular risks of other artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose. Basically, artificial sweeteners as a whole have not been studied in detail for long-term effects.
I remember as a child and teen being confused when reading those packets of Sweet’n Low, which stated that it might cause cancer in laboratory animals. This was countered by the food industry (sometimes called “Big Food”), which stated that the amounts used in those animals were larger than what was ingested. I questioned my parents, asking, “If it causes cancer at all, how is it able to be used?” That brings us back to the FDA, which is responsible for evaluating the safety of food additives. “Generally recognized as safe” is a euphemistic use of words, as another way of phrasing it is “It probably won’t kill you,” which I do not find reassuring.
In sum, there need to be randomized studies on the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners, and I just wanted to point out that this association has been noticed and warrants further study. I do think, at the very least, the amount of erythritol should be added to food labels as a start. But that discussion would entail a discussion of food lobbies and their potential influence on the FDA. Another way to look at it is that there may be a conflict of interest. Our political system allows for lobbies and political action committees (PACs), which contribute enormous amounts to the campaign funds of our government officials. Given that these elected officials are supposed to look after the best interests of their constituents, also known as the majority, it is possible that they may give more credence to their donors as that is where the money comes from that gets them elected in the first case.
That influence needs to be thoroughly examined and reformed to protect the public.
