Posted on 05/11/2025 8:27:34 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Erythritol, a commonly used sugar substitute often marketed as "healthy," may impair blood vessel health by disrupting the brain's ability to produce a critical compound, according to new research.
Erythritol is a low-calorie sugar substitute found in many sugar-free products, including energy drinks, snack foods and protein bars. Like other sugar alcohols, erythritol is popular because it does not affect blood glucose and insulin levels as much as sugar. However, previous research links consumption of erythritol to a higher risk of adverse cardiac events, including stroke.
In a new study, researchers treated human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells—cells from the tiny blood vessels in the brain—with erythritol. They found that the cells exposed to the amount of sweetener in one beverage serving had higher levels of oxidative (cellular) stress. In addition, the cells produced less nitric oxide, a compound that helps blood vessels dilate. Reduced nitric oxide levels can impair vasodilation, impair blood flow, and may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
"While erythritol is widely used in sugar-free products marketed as healthier alternatives, more research is needed to fully understand its impact on vascular health," said Auburn Berry, first author of the study. "In general, people should be conscious of the amount of erythritol they are consuming on a daily basis."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Why anyone would eat fake sugar is beyond me ,anyway.
I use honey.
Stevia in the Raw is what my wife uses, upon advice from her doctor
Contents include a “blend” with Splenda.
Most, but not all. Stevia Select is a powdered 100% Stevia product. Expensive, but EXTREMELY concentrated. We have used it for years.
I fully agree, available at walmart and seems expensive until you use it. A very little goes a long way so it will last a lot longer than one might think. The 100% is in a small salt shaker kind of container, the mixture comes in a bag similar to sugar.
“In a new study, researchers treated human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells—cells from the tiny blood vessels in the brain—with erythritol.”
No one BOTHERS to test this stuff before they feed it to the masses?
I guess it’s better to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission.
Trust NOONE in Big Ag and Big Pharma. Just eat REAL food!
Thank you. That was my next question, who paid for it.
Allulose gives you digestive issues
Look at the ingredients. The powder I buy says it is pure, 100% stevia leaf.
Processing Method:
Stevia Select uses a water extraction process to isolate steviol glycosides from stevia leaves, avoiding chemical solvents, bleaches, or alcohol purification. This is described as a “natural” and “clean” method, preserving the integrity of the extract.
The resulting powder is white and fine, indicating significant processing to remove impurities and bitter compounds found in crude or whole-leaf stevia. While some consumers note that green stevia powder (ground whole leaves) is the only “unprocessed” form, it is less sweet, has a bitter taste, and colors beverages green, making refined white powders like Stevia Select more practical for most uses.
A modification to what I said earlier is in order:
Most powdered stevias have binders and whatnot, like Erythrotol. Select Stevia is an exception to that, and is pure.
Unfortunately, stevia select is sourced from China. The only one I have found that isn’t is BSL (bsweetbnatural), it’s sourced in North and South America.
Stevia makes me very gassy and gives me a sour stomach.
Xylitol is another I like. It’s so good sprinkled on berries and such and is a natural sugar extracted from fruits and plants.
Be careful if you have dogs, it can be fatal if they consume it.
You can't test for everything, and when something is GRAS because it is eaten in a number of natural foods already, you don't find added concerns until later.
I've gone through multiple five pound bags of erythritol over the years, and have seen no issue; however, I have chosen to migrate to allulose, in its place.
For hot drinks I use organic Stevia in the Raw packets. The stevia is mixed with a tiny bit of cane sugar to give the product some bulk. The sugar is so little that it doesn’t register calorie or carb wise. I only drink one or two cups of hot tea a day and use half a packet per cup. Stevia is super sweet to me and a little goes a long way.
For cooking or baking I use cane sugar, molasses, or honey. I would rather have smaller servings of sweets but eat the real thing.
I remember seeing that chemical in Bai Tea, years ago, before I switched to Zero Sugar Gold Peak Sweet Tea.
“Sweet Leaf” is just another of the gazillion forms of Stevia ...
for myself and the Mrs., any form of Stevia provokes instant, intense headaches ...
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