Low-calorie sweeteners are safe, right?
Not necessarily. A recent study published in the AHA Journal from the Cleveland Clinic has raised concerns about the cardiovascular risks associated with erythritol, the sweetener found in both Truvia and Splenda, along with popular lower-calorie food options such as Halo Top ice-cream and Vitamin Water Zero.
Led by Dr. Stanley Hazen, this study used two groups of healthy, middle-aged participants to compare the effects erythritol has versus sugar on cardiovascular health. Study participants fasted overnight and then drank a glass of water that contained either 30 grams of plain glucose or 30 grams of erythritol.
(Anyone thirsty yet?)
Each participant’s blood was tested about thirty minutes after consuming the drink to see if any changes had occurred. Here's what happened:
Sweetener Cocktail
The participants who consumed the erythritol and water cocktail had increased erythritol levels by 1000%, exponentially higher than the trace levels that occur naturally in the blood.
These increased levels of erythritol correlate with an increase in platelet aggregation. This marker makes blood more prone to clotting, which can ultimately lead to a stroke.
Sugar Water
Participants who drank the normal sugar drink had only slightly elevated glucose levels, but no changes in platelet aggregation.
As Dr. Hazen stated in an NBC article, “The amount in sugar substitutes is thousands of folds higher than what is made in our bodies, so to call it ‘natural,’ it’s not,” he said. “Your best recommendation is to avoid the sugar substitutes, and sugar alcohols in particular, because there’s an acute increase in the likelihood of clotting events once you ingest them.”
Don’t go chowing down a bowl of Frosted Flakes for breakfast just yet. Despite the study's findings, experts like Valisa Hedrick from Virginia Tech note that high sugar consumption also poses health risks, such diabetes and obesity.
Study Limitations
Sample measurements: Although the measurements of 30 grams are equivalent on paper, not how it translates in the recipe world. sweetened with erythritol-sweetened typically contain 30 grams, according to Dr. Hazen. However, most sugary beverages contain more than 30 grams of sugar. For example, a can of Coca-Cola clocks in at 39 grams of sugar, and Mountain Dew at 46 grams of sugar.
Short-term focus: Only the first thirty minutes after consuming the sugar / sweetener water were measured. This does not take into any long-term effects into account.
Ultimately, the study emphasizes the importance of ongoing research to better understand the health implications of using low-calorie sweeteners compared to sugar, especially for individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular events.
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