A popular sweetener found in protein bars and sugar-free energy drinks may increase the risk of stroke, according to new research from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
The study exposed human brain cells to erythritol, a sugar substitute commonly used in diet sodas and other products. Researchers observed changes within hours, including a significant drop in the release of clot-busting proteins. These proteins are important because they help prevent strokes by dissolving blood clots.
Auburn Berry, a graduate student who led the research, said that while erythritol is widely used in products marketed as healthier options, more studies are needed to fully understand its effects on blood vessel health. She advised people to be aware of how much erythritol they consume daily.
This research comes at a time when strokes among young people under 45 have increased nearly 15 percent since 2011, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Erythritol is found in many popular products, including Vitaminwater Zero Sugar, Monster Zero energy drinks, Arizona Iced Tea, Quest protein bars, and the sweetener Truvia, often used in coffee as a sugar alternative.
Although this study was small and conducted in a lab setting on isolated cells, it adds to growing concerns about erythritol’s safety. A 2023 study from the Cleveland Clinic followed 4,000 people and found that those who consumed erythritol were more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or early death.
In the latest study, researchers focused on human brain blood vessel cells, known as cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. After three hours of exposure to erythritol, the cells showed harmful changes. They produced 75 percent more damaging compounds and about 20 percent less of a substance that helps blood vessels relax, which normally improves blood flow and reduces clot risk.
The sweetener also reduced production of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), a protein that breaks down clots and helps prevent strokes. The researchers concluded that erythritol may increase the risk of ischemic stroke, which happens when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain, causing brain cells to die quickly.
The study’s authors noted some limitations. It was conducted outside the human body, so results might not fully reflect real-life conditions. For example, it is unclear how much erythritol reaches brain blood vessel cells in typical consumption.
The cells were exposed to about 30 grams of erythritol, roughly the amount in a typical artificially sweetened drink. However, many popular beverages contain less. For instance, Monster Energy Zero has about two grams per serving, Vitaminwater bottles contain less than five grams, and Quest protein bars have up to five grams of erythritol.
Erythritol is about 70 percent as sweet as sugar but has only six percent of the calories. It occurs naturally in small amounts in some foods but is usually made from processed corn for use in diet drinks. The body does not easily process it, so much of it passes out in urine, though some can accumulate over time. The FDA approved erythritol as safe for food use in 2001.
The study appears amid rising stroke rates in younger Americans, which experts link to increased stress, sedentary lifestyles, higher drug use, and health issues such as obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Earlier research also showed that erythritol activates platelets in the blood, making them stick together and form clots, which could further explain its connection to stroke risk.
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