Erythritol Shown in Lab to Impair Brain Vessels, Potentially Elevating Stroke Risk

New lab findings from the University of Colorado Boulder suggest erythritol, a widely used sugar substitute, may impair brain microvascular endothelial cells by lowering nitric oxide, raising vasoconstrictors, reducing clot-busting t-PA, and boosting reactive oxygen species, potentially increasing stroke risk at typical intake; the work is cellular and not yet proven in people, though epidemiological data have linked higher erythritol levels with heart attack or stroke, so monitoring intake and checking labels is advised.