A Note on Erythritol...

A study published in Nature Medicine in the late winter of 2023 led to a flurry of sensationalized headlines creating unnecessary fear around the sugar substitute called erythritol. 

We received a lot of questions about this. So, we wanted to ease some minds by posting a quick note on the subject in our blog section.

The researchers of this study measured concentrations of blood erythritol levels in people who were already suffering from cardiac issues and found that the subjects with the highest levels had twice the risk of suffering from a major cardiovascular event compared to those with the lowest levels. However, they did not ask participants whether or not they use erythritol in their diets! This matters because of a process which allows us to produce erythritol ourselves via the pentose phosphate pathway. Meaning, our bodies can make its own endogenous erythritol! 

Previous studies have suggested that a high erythritol level can be an early sign of cardiometabolic dysfunction. In fact, erythritol production increases in the presence of oxidative stress, inflammation, and obesity which we know are major players in the development of cardiovascular disease. 

While it is possible that the participants in this recent study were consuming erythritol in their diets, we do not know for certain, and it is very possible their bodies were making these higher levels of erythritol. 

This preliminary, observational study does not give us enough information to feel the need to omit this sweetener from the diet, or suggest our patients do the same at the moment. 

However, this is a good reminder to always question fear-mongering headlines in the media or news articles and continue to learn so that we can all be confidential and knowledgeable consumers. Also, please know that we're always here to answer our patient’s health or diet questions!

We’ll be sure to update on our stance on erythritol as time goes on. To subscribe to our newsletter, send your email address to info@breencenter.com and place ‘Newsletter’ in the subject line.