Dr. Maya Rozman Warns Against Using Erythritol Sweetener Due to Cardiovascular Risks

Dr. Maya Rozman highlights concerns about erythritol, a popular sugar alcohol sweetener widely used for its low calories and minimal digestive side effects compared to other polyols like sorbitol and mannitol. Despite its benefits, recent studies have raised questions about erythritol's impact on blood clotting and cardiovascular risk. A 2023 Nature Medicine study involving over 4,000 participants found that higher blood levels of erythritol were associated with a 1.8 to 2.2 times greater risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death over three years. Laboratory experiments showed erythritol increased platelet reactivity and clot formation, and human trials confirmed elevated blood erythritol levels lasting more than two days after consumption.

Further research published in 2024 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology demonstrated that healthy individuals who consumed 30 grams of erythritol experienced a thousand-fold increase in blood erythritol levels and heightened platelet activity, unlike those who consumed glucose. While these findings do not conclusively prove erythritol causes heart attacks, the combination of epidemiological and mechanistic evidence warrants caution.

Rozman contrasts erythritol with other sugar alcohols: sorbitol and mannitol, which are less absorbed and more likely to cause digestive issues, but do not raise blood erythritol levels or platelet activity similarly. Notably, mannitol has shown potential neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease models, unlike erythritol.

She also warns consumers to carefully check product ingredient lists, as erythritol often appears hidden in sweeteners marketed as stevia or monk fruit blends, where it serves as a bulking agent. Rozman advises avoiding products containing erythritol due to its cardiovascular uncertainty and recommends choosing alternative sweeteners, noting that while sucralose is not perfect, it lacks erythritol's associated blood clotting concerns.

The key consumer takeaway is to look beyond front-label claims like "stevia" or "sugar-free" and verify the ingredient list for erythritol to make informed choices about sweetener consumption.