The Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners: What You Need to Know

A new study from Cleveland Clinic found that erythritol, a commonly used artificial sweetener, is associated with an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. The study involved 4,000 people from the United States and Europe, and those with higher blood levels of erythritol were found to be at higher risk for major adverse cardiac events over three years of follow-up. Erythritol is typically used in foods targeting people who want to lose weight or who have diabetes, but it isn't always included on the label. People with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or who are otherwise at risk for it should avoid foods with this artificial sweetener in them.