Does Erythritol Cause Blood Clots? What Science Says
In 2023, a study published in Nature Medicine claimed erythritol—the zero-calorie sweetener used in everything from chewing gum to pancake syrup and health supplements—was linked to cardiovascular disease. News outlets seized on the conclusion, declaring erythritol a hazard to heart health. The evidence-based health and fitness community were more skeptical, however, with many pointing out that the study only showed a link between high erythritol levels and heart problems—not that eating erythritol caused them. Many also questioned other aspects of the research. For one, the participants were already unhealthy—most were overweight, diabetic, or had cardiovascular disease. People with these conditions naturally produce more erythritol, so their high levels may have been a byproduct of their poor health rather than their diet. But the researchers didn’t measure how much erythritol these people ate, so we can’t say for certain why their levels were elevated. On top ...