About study results
The increase, when studied, indicates an increase in platelets in the blood. This makes it easy to form clots which can lead to heart attack and stroke. I hope the lessons will be repeated, but this seems to be a great lesson with a lot of participants.
Are we talking about something other than the little red, blue and yellow bags we’ve been opening for years?
Erythritol can be found in common artificial sweeteners, but it can also be found in stevia, chickpeas, trivia and all of these are currently being used widely by people. patients who are trying to lose weight or what we call the keto diet.
Is erythritol advertised on food labels as a sugar substitute?
Sugar substitutes and no added sugar are common terms. Bitterness is another word to watch out for.
This has been in use for some time. It’s not something that manufacturers have started using.
No, I think it’s been in use for a while and FDA approved. But I think that this study shows that we need to do more research before, say unquote, calling it safe.
Now, though, if this is as bad as it seems, isn’t the damage done?
It can be found. I think it is important for those who have taken a lot of stevia, trivia or similar to follow up with their primary care doctors or be sent to a cardiologist for a cardiovascular test.
Have you seen it, but in your own work?
I don’t know it personally, but I have had patients who I have asked to reduce the amount of natural sweeteners in their diet and after a healthy life, eat fruits and vegetables, substitute soda for water and the like.
I think it might be different, avoid problems, maybe start making your own food.
Maybe that’s it. We also say that the tip for cutting sugar is to cut the sugar in half and then cut it down. It is also possible to use fruits for your cereal or honey for your coffee or cokes or teas instead of using sugar.
What would you say to patients who are wondering how to avoid all this? I mean, isn’t it (erythritol) very broad in its use in food processing?
Well, I think it’s important to read labels, know about the foods you’re eating, and the side effects of those foods.
You see, you can’t cut out sugar completely. It’s in our American diet. But I think you can limit the amount you take. It is equal to 100 calories of sugar. That’s why it’s important to read labels.
And to those who say that’s why I used natural sweeteners to begin with, to cut out sugar or help me lose weight?
Well, I think that’s true. Trying to be healthy and avoid sugar is one way to reduce the risk of diabetes or heart disease or stroke. A little bit of sugar is good, according to the American Heart Association. But we want to look out for labels with no sweeteners, no sugar and a guarantee that it does not cause negative effects.
GREAT:
Are sweets bad for you? New concerns about link to wastes, hearts
The sweetener erythritol and the risk of cardiovascular events
Unhealthy foods and cardiovascular risk
Real, fake or somewhere in between? Arguing about flavors
Experts debate the usefulness of artificial sweeteners
Things about sugar and sugar substitutes
Interview highlights have been lightly edited for clarity.
Got a tip? Email Sam Baker at sbaker@kera.org.
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