The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has carried out a fresh evaluation of erythritol that particularly addresses the effects of its consumption in the wake of the previously mentioned study. They found no evidence to support a link between eating foods high in erythritol and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors.: European Food Safety Authority, 20.12.23
Erythritol has been available on the market for over 30 years. During that time, numerous scientific studies have been conducted on the sweetener, particularly prior to its approval for use in food in the EU. All of these studies have agreed that there is no risk of negative effects from the use of erythritol in food. Because of this, the recommended daily intake (RDI) was not limited. Thus, this new study departs from the previous 30 years of research. While the study should be taken seriously, some aspects are crucial to emphasize.
The researchers behind this study emphasize that although a link was observed between high levels of erythritol in the blood and the occurrence of blood clots, they were unable to prove that erythritol was the cause of the blood clots. It should be noted that erythritol is naturally produced by the body, and therefore, the level of erythritol in the blood does not necessarily reflect the intake of erythritol. Previous studies have shown a correlation between high erythritol levels and high blood sugar levels. In other words, glucose may significantly raise the blood’s erythritol levels.
To be able to draw any conclusions about the effect of erythritol consumption, the study must include the actual erythritol intake, not just the concentration of erythritol in the blood. The subjects’ diets were not examined in this study, and it is unknown whether they consumed any erythritol-containing foods. Additionally, it’s important to note that the study’s participants were at high risk for cardiovascular disease, and many of them had already experienced blood clots. Therefore, this is a study conducted on individuals with multiple disease markers in their bodies.
We understand that many people find the headlines about this study frightening, but unfortunately, these are misleading. The authors of the study call for additional research in the area, as they were unable to determine a cause-and-effect relationship between erythritol and blood clots.