New research from Cleveland Clinic (pdf) finds erythritol, a common artificial sweetener, was associated with a significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke—but experts said the findings aren’t as worrying as they sound.
Erythritol Is Naturally Produced in Our Bodies
Erythritol is a widely used artificial sweetener increasingly used in many processed and “low-carb” foods. Artificial sweeteners like erythritol are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.It’s a type of carbohydrate called sugar alcohol, like xylitol and mannitol, which are approved for use in many food products. Manufactured for decades, this compound is also found naturally in foods like watermelon, pears, grapes, and mushrooms.
