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Popular sugar substitute may harm brain and heart health (Erythritol)
Medical Xpress / American Physiological Society / ^ | April 28, 2025 | Auburn Berry et al

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 ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: erythritol; sugarsubstitute
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To: Veto!

My friend’s naturopath says the only good sweetener is “Sweet Leaf”.


Didn’t Black Sabbath do a song about it?


41 posted on 05/12/2025 9:16:48 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: kalee

I’ve been putting Truvia in my coffee for years.


42 posted on 05/12/2025 10:07:14 AM PDT by Orosius (A“Wake America Up Again )
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To: ConservativeMind

looks like I’m going to have to change my habits AGAIN!


43 posted on 05/12/2025 11:44:21 AM PDT by ckilmer
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To: dfwgator

Song should have been named ‘skunk butt’ instead.

Skunk Butt! da da da, da da da, Skunk Butt da da da, da da da,😵‍💫


44 posted on 05/12/2025 11:50:31 AM PDT by right way right (“May we remain sober over mere men, for God really is our only true hope.)
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To: catnipman

Sorry about your headaches.

As for Sweet Leaf, whatever is in it causes nothing for me. I open a little packet and use half each day, splash in a bit of organic pasture-raised milk.I drink half-caf coffee, large cup with cat on my lap, our morning ritual.


45 posted on 05/12/2025 12:38:20 PM PDT by Veto! (Trump Is Superman)
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To: ConservativeMind

Thanks for the clarification. Funny, though, I donated a whole box of Stevia sweetener to the Food pantry that was mixed with the Erytherol (sp?) based upon a previous post of yours. ;) Hadn’t even opened it or used it. Costco.

I use local Honey in tea, (and our homemade Maple Syrup is good too; especially in a more robust tea mix) but I will use refined (GASP!) sugar in baking.


46 posted on 05/12/2025 4:09:45 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Huh. I just buy the big 25 or 50 lb sack of sugar at Costco. Tastes like sugar!


47 posted on 05/13/2025 5:55:21 AM PDT by Svartalfiar (-)
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To: Veto!
Sweet Leaf stevia is from China. Yes, the company is in Arizona and yes the founder of the company, James May, first came across the stevia plant in Paraguay in 1982. But, when asked, the company does state they now source the stevia from China.

Atiana Bowyer (Wisdom Natural Brands)
Our stevia comes from China, and the products are manufactured in the U.S..
Thank you, Atiana Bowyer
Customer Service Representative Wisdom Natural Brands https://www.wisdomnaturalbrands.com/brands/

48 posted on 07/15/2025 10:21:48 AM PDT by Oorang (Politicians:-a feeble band of lowly reptiles who shun the light and who lurk in their own dens. )
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To: Alas Babylon!
Perhaps it doesn't matter to most people where a product is grown in which case fine, their choice. But, just FYI...

This is from the FAQ on the company website:
Where is your stevia powder grown & harvested?

Like 99% of stevia available, our stevia is grown in China. We have many trusted agencies, from different countries, that make sure quality standards are being met to uphold our certifications that enable us to boldly state: USDA Organic & Non-GMO. Stevia Select is known for it's high standards.

https://steviaselect.com/pages/faqs

49 posted on 07/15/2025 10:28:27 AM PDT by Oorang (Politicians:-a feeble band of lowly reptiles who shun the light and who lurk in their own dens. )
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To: Oorang
China... Thank you for letting me know!

I just bought this today at Walmart:

I'll be planting these tomorrow!

50 posted on 07/15/2025 3:18:45 PM PDT by Alas Babylon! (Repeal the Patriot Act; Abolish the DHS; reform FBI top to bottom!)
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To: ConservativeMind

I’ll stick with Stevia.

I cannot tolerate any sweetener ending in “ol” anyway


51 posted on 07/15/2025 3:20:00 PM PDT by LilFarmer (Isaiah 54:17)
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To: Alas Babylon!

I was at a farmers market. A fellow had stevia plants, or their leaves, for sale. He gave me a sample of leaves to chew. They were really sweet, the real deal. I imagine if you harvest the leaves, soak them in a small amount of hot water, you’ll have a stevia simple syrup to use.


52 posted on 07/15/2025 3:36:35 PM PDT by Oorang (Politicians:-a feeble band of lowly reptiles who shun the light and who lurk in their own dens. )
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To: Alas Babylon!; LilFarmer
Another poster mentioned this company:

https://www.bsweetlife.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo4pwdgyO1xdBAA0F2Y_XgOl-KZERA0bo7lMAggRTznz5v9RAJDM/a>

I emailed them a couple of months ago asking about the country of origin for their stevia. This is their reply:
Thank you for your message. None of our stevia is grown or sourced from China. Our stevia comes from various origins, including Mexico, the USA, and Peru.

Their product is more expensive but you get what you pay for.

53 posted on 07/15/2025 3:41:52 PM PDT by Oorang (Politicians:-a feeble band of lowly reptiles who shun the light and who lurk in their own dens. )
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To: Oorang

That’s the one I’ve used for the past year or so. I’ve been very happy with them.


54 posted on 07/15/2025 6:38:43 PM PDT by LilFarmer (Isaiah 54:17)
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To: Oorang

I watched several videos on you tube. Compress a lot of the stevia leaves into a jar, cover with Everclear or similar strong alcohol spirits, and let sit for 3-4 days. Then pour out the juice, mash the leaves in a sieve to get all the liquid, and cook the liquid on a pan to burn off most the alcohol. Then you have a syrup that can last for a long time.


55 posted on 07/15/2025 7:50:20 PM PDT by Alas Babylon! (Repeal the Patriot Act; Abolish the DHS; reform FBI top to bottom!)
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