Overview

• The July 21 Journal of Applied Physiology paper from University of Colorado Boulder treated cultured human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells with six mM erythritol, matching levels found in a standard sugar-free beverage.
• Exposure to erythritol significantly increased reactive oxygen species and endothelin-1 production while elevating antioxidant enzyme expression in the treated cells.
• When challenged with thrombin, erythritol-treated cells released markedly less tissue-type plasminogen activator, indicating weakened clot-dissolving capacity.
• Previous observational research of over 4,000 adults in the United States and Europe found that elevated blood erythritol levels correlate with higher heart attack and stroke incidence within three years.
• Investigators urge animal and clinical studies to verify whether these in vitro endothelial effects translate to human stroke risk and recommend that high-intake consumers monitor their erythritol use.