This Artificial Sweetener Could Kill You

Erythritol is an artificial sweetener synthesized from corn. It is about two-thirds as sweet as regular sugar but has no calories and does not affect blood sugar levels. As such, it became popular as an artificial sweetener in the 1990s and is widely used commercially. Products that contain erythritol include Monster energy drinks, Vitamin Water, Halo Top ice cream, and many foods marketed as keto-friendly or sugar-free. Erythritol is also added to “natural” monkfruit and stevia sweeteners to add bulk to these products.

In a new (and rather frightening) study, the risk of blood clots more than doubled in healthy subjects who were given a drink sweetened with erythritol. The amount of erythritol used was equivalent to that typically found in ice cream, sodas, or pastries. No changes in blood clotting were observed in people who were given drinks sweetened with sugar. When consumed, erythritol is absorbed from the gut and its blood levels spike more than 1000-fold. When blood clots travel and block a blood vessel, it causes heart attacks and strokes.

The same blood-clotting tendency also occurs with xylitol, another sweetener commonly used in commercial foods, beverages, and even supplements and drugs.