Many people turn to sugar-free products thinking they’re making a healthy choice, but a new study raises concerns about a sweetener called erythritol.
This sugar substitute is often found in diet sodas, protein bars, and low-calorie snacks. Because it has almost no calories and doesn’t increase blood sugar levels, erythritol is very popular among people with diabetes and those trying to lose weight.
It belongs to a group of sweeteners called sugar alcohols and is often considered safer than regular sugar.
However, scientists are now warning that erythritol may not be as safe as once believed. New research presented at the 2025 American Physiology Summit in Baltimore shows it could harm the small blood vessels in the brain and may increase the risk of serious problems like heart attacks or strokes.
In this study, scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder looked at how erythritol affects the cells that line the small blood vessels in the brain. These cells play a big role in keeping the brain healthy. They help control blood flow, protect the brain from damage, and even help prevent dangerous blood clots.
The researchers exposed these brain cells to a level of erythritol similar to what someone might consume from just one sweetened drink. They discovered that the cells began to show signs of stress.
One of the main problems was an increase in something called oxidative stress. This happens when harmful molecules build up and damage the cells. When cells are under oxidative stress, it can lead to inflammation and damage to the blood vessels.
Another problem was a drop in the production of nitric oxide. This is a natural gas made by blood vessel cells that helps them relax and widen.
This process, known as vasodilation, is important because it helps control blood pressure and makes sure enough blood flows to the brain and other organs. If there is not enough nitric oxide, blood vessels can’t work properly, which can raise the chance of clots, heart attacks, or strokes.
Auburn Berry, the lead author of the study and a graduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder, said people should be aware of how much erythritol they consume. While the sweetener is used in many “healthier” food products, it’s important to understand how it might affect our blood vessels.
It’s important to note that this study was done in a lab using cells, not in real people. So, it doesn’t prove that erythritol causes health problems in everyday life. Still, the results match other studies that have found a connection between high erythritol levels and heart problems in humans.
This research adds to a growing number of concerns about sugar substitutes. Even though erythritol has some benefits, such as being low in calories and not raising blood sugar, its possible harmful effects on the brain and heart are worrying. Scientists say more research is needed to understand what long-term use of erythritol might do to the human body.
For now, people trying to eat less sugar might want to be careful with sugar-free products containing erythritol. A balanced diet that includes natural foods and moderate sweetness could still be the best way to stay healthy and protect both the brain and heart.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to cleaner arteries, and salt and heart health: does less really mean more?
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