“I Need Something Sweet.” The Dangers of Erythritol!

Have you ever felt like you need something sweet? Do you have a family member or friend who has several sugar free beverages in their fridge? Are you a keto enthusiast browsing store shelves for the latest keto products each week?

Beware! Erythritol could be the hidden culprit in many ingredients you currently use.

Recent research has found an association between erythritol consumption and risk of heart attack and stroke.

The research study on erythritol originated in 2001 and was completed in 2007. It was then submitted to the medical journal for publication in July 2022. Online popularity has grown over the past week about the dangers of erythritol and the findings associated with cardiovascular events.

Erythritol is used as a sweetener in many desserts to replace actual sugar. It is found in several keto products. It is also naturally found in mushrooms, fruit, such as watermelon, grapes and pears. In addition, it is found in fermented foods such as wine, cheese, and soy sauce.

Our bodies also produce erythritol in small amounts.

Where Did Erythritol Come From?

Erythritol was originally discovered by a Scottish chemist named John Stenhouse in 1848. It was then isolated in 1852.

In 1950, erythritol was classified to be a sugar alcohol when discovered in blackstrap molasses.

In the 1990’s, in Japan, erythritol was considered safe and mass produced as a sugar replacement enhancer in everyday products.

So, What Does This Mean?

The study suggests an association of erythritol with heart attack, stroke, and blood clots when consuming more than 10 grams a day. Simply, the body struggles to break down erythritol!

At this time, there is still ongoing research being performed on erythritol. Erythritol is not entirely bad though. For those who consume it on occasion, it is not deadly. However, those whose consumption contains 90% of erythritol in their diet should reconsider the use of this ingredient. Most importantly, read the ingredient labels when you purchase food items.

The best approach at this time would be to limit consumption and use erythritol on occasion. However, it is up to you to conduct your own research and make the best decision for your health.