NEW YORK, Aug 11: A new pilot study has revealed that consuming drinks with erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, more than doubles the risk of blood clotting. Erythritol is commonly used to add bulk to stevia and monk fruit, and to sweeten low-carb and keto products. This finding adds to previous research connecting erythritol with a heightened risk of stroke, heart attack, and death.

The study, conducted by Dr. Stanley Hazen of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, involved ten healthy participants who consumed a drink containing erythritol. Results showed a significant increase in platelet responsiveness, which can lead to clotting. In contrast, a similar amount of glucose had no effect on blood platelet activity.

“This is the first direct comparison of glucose versus erythritol on platelet function,” Dr. Hazen stated. “While glucose doesn’t impact clotting, erythritol does.”

Dr. Andrew Freeman, Director of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, found the study “very intriguing and interesting.” Freeman, who was not involved in the research, suggested that while immediate action is not necessary, the findings raise important safety questions about sugar alcohols.

The Calorie Control Council, an industry association, responded to the study by emphasizing the long-standing safety record of erythritol. Carla Saunders, president of the council, advised consumers to interpret the pilot study with caution due to its small sample size and high erythritol dosage, which exceeds typical amounts used in beverages.

Dr. Hazen noted that the amount of erythritol used in the study—30 grams—is equivalent to that found in common sugar-free products like sodas, ice creams, and muffins. He expressed concern that even standard servings of erythritol-sweetened foods might stimulate clot formation.

Erythritol, a sugar alcohol found in fruits and vegetables and produced in small quantities by the human body, is used in many “natural” sweeteners and keto-friendly products. It is considered “generally recognized as safe” by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The study, published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, involved 20 participants who fasted overnight before drinking either an erythritol-sweetened or a glucose-sweetened beverage. Blood tests taken before and after consumption revealed a thousandfold increase in erythritol levels and an alarming rise in platelet activity linked to clotting.

Dr. Hazen's earlier 2023 study with eight volunteers also showed a dramatic increase in erythritol levels and a heightened risk of heart attack or stroke. The findings suggest that erythritol makes platelets excessively responsive, increasing clot formation significantly.

Given these concerns, Dr. Hazen advises caution, especially for individuals with existing cardiac conditions or diabetes. He suggests that occasional sugar-sweetened treats may be a safer alternative to products sweetened with erythritol, which could contribute to cardiovascular risks over time.

“Cardiovascular disease is a leading global cause of death,” Dr. Hazen concluded. “We need to ensure that our food choices do not unknowingly increase our risk.