✪ Key Highlight: New University of Colorado research shows erythritol damages brain blood vessels and increases stroke risk by 30%.
Introduction
You reach for that sugar-free energy drink thinking you are making a healthy choice.
But new research from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that erythritol, the popular sweetener in your favorite products, may be damaging your brain cells and increasing your stroke risk.
Hi, I am Abdur, your nutrition coach and today I am going to analyze this groundbreaking study that challenges everything we thought we knew about this widely-used sugar substitute.
What Does This New Research Actually Show?
Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder conducted laboratory experiments using human brain blood vessel cells.
They exposed these cells to erythritol levels similar to what people consume daily from sugar-free products.
The results were alarming and showed significant cellular damage.
The brain cells experienced increased oxidative stress, which means they produced more free radicals that damage cellular structures.
These free radicals attack the blood-brain barrier, which is your brain’s protective shield against harmful substances.
The study also found that erythritol reduced nitric oxide production by 20 percent in brain blood vessels.
Nitric oxide helps blood vessels relax and widen, ensuring proper blood flow to your brain.
✪ Fact: Erythritol is found in over 6,000 food products including energy drinks, protein bars, and sugar-free desserts.
How Does Erythritol Increase Your Stroke Risk?
The research revealed that erythritol increases endothelin-1 production by roughly 30 percent.
Endothelin-1 is a protein that constricts blood vessels, making them narrower and reducing blood flow.
When your brain blood vessels become constricted, the risk of stroke increases significantly.
The study also found that erythritol impairs the release of tissue-type plasminogen activator, known as t-PA.
t-PA is your body’s natural clot-busting enzyme that dissolves dangerous blood clots before they can cause strokes.
When t-PA function is compromised, blood clots can form more easily and persist longer in your bloodstream.
This combination of reduced blood flow and impaired clot dissolution creates a perfect storm for stroke risk.
✪ Note: People with diabetes and obesity, who commonly use erythritol products, already face higher stroke risks.
Are Other Artificial Sweeteners Also Dangerous?
The concerns about erythritol are part of a larger pattern emerging with artificial sweeteners.
Research shows that aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin can also trigger oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
These sweeteners may disrupt the blood-brain barrier and alter cerebral blood flow patterns.
Aspartame has been linked to neurophysiological symptoms including headaches, learning problems, seizures, and anxiety.
The metabolites from aspartame can interfere with neurotransmitter synthesis, affecting brain communication.
These changes could accelerate cognitive decline, especially in people with existing health conditions.
The cumulative effect of consuming multiple artificial sweeteners daily may compound these health risks.
✪ Pro Tip: Read ingredient labels carefully as artificial sweeteners often appear under different names on product packaging.
What Should You Do About This Information?
The researchers emphasize that people should be conscious of daily erythritol consumption.
Start by checking ingredient lists on all your food and beverage products.
Erythritol appears in energy drinks, protein bars, sugar-free gum, diet sodas, and low-calorie desserts.
Consider reducing your reliance on processed sugar-free products and focus on whole foods instead.
If you have diabetes or cardiovascular disease, discuss these findings with your healthcare provider.
They can help you develop a personalized approach to managing blood sugar without relying heavily on artificial sweeteners.
Remember that small amounts of natural sugars from fruits and vegetables come with beneficial nutrients and fiber.
✪ Pro Tip: Gradually reduce sweetener use to retrain your taste buds to appreciate natural flavors without added sweetness.
The Bottom Line
This University of Colorado research adds serious concerns about erythritol safety, particularly for brain and cardiovascular health.
What seems convenient today may cost you dearly tomorrow, so always prioritize long-term health over short-term convenience.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this research and whether you plan to change your artificial sweetener consumption, so please share your questions or opinions in the comments section below.
References
At NutritionCrown, we use quality and credible sources to ensure our content is accurate and trustworthy. Below are the sources referenced in creating this article:
- American Physiological Society: Popular sugar substitute may harm brain and heart health
- University of Colorado Boulder: Common sugar substitute shown to impair brain cells, boost stroke risk
- Harvard Health Publishing: Could artificial sweeteners be bad for your brain?
- PubMed: Artificial sweeteners and their implications in diabetes
- Times of India: Popular artificial sweetener linked to brain cell damage and stroke risk
