A recent study has found that erythritol, a sugar replacement commonly used in stevia, monkfruit, and keto reduced-sugar products, is linked to serious health risks, including blood clotting, stroke, heart attack, and death. The study, led by Dr. Stanley Hazen of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, revealed that individuals with higher erythritol levels in their blood, especially those with preexisting heart disease or diabetes, had a significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Erythritol was also found to cause blood platelets to clot more easily, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
While some industry associations argue that decades of research support erythritol’s safety, experts caution that more research is needed to fully understand its potential risks. In response to the findings, there have been calls to limit erythritol consumption as a precaution, especially for individuals at risk of clotting, heart attacks, or strokes. Further studies are deemed necessary to determine the extent of the health risks associated with erythritol.