Overview

• Researchers treated human brain microvascular endothelial cells with erythritol at a typical sugar-free drink concentration and observed a marked decrease in nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessels.
• Erythritol exposure increased endothelin-1 levels and reactive oxygen species production in the cells, indicating heightened vessel constriction and oxidative stress.
• The sweetener blunted tissue-type plasminogen activator release in response to thrombin, suggesting impaired clot resolution in cerebral vessels.
• These mechanistic findings reinforce epidemiological data linking higher circulating erythritol levels to elevated heart attack and stroke risk over three years in U.S. and European cohorts.
• Authors note erythritol’s FDA approval and widespread use in zero-calorie products and urge larger human trials alongside careful monitoring of non-nutritive sweetener intake.