Common Sweetener May Harm Brain and Heart Health

Erythritol may affect blood vessel function, although experts emphasize that findings are early and require further investigation.
Common Sweetener May Harm Brain and Heart Health
Kabachki.photo via shutterstock
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Recent research has found that a popular low-calorie sugar substitute, generally considered a healthy alternative, may potentially increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Findings in cell studies, presented at the 2025 American Physiology Summit but not yet peer-reviewed or published, suggest that erythritol—often used in candies and baked goods—might affect the function of blood vessels.
George Citroner
George Citroner
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George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.