Erythritol linked to faster brain aging and higher stroke risk
Long‑term data from a Neurology study of about 13,000 adults found that daily intake of low‑calorie sweeteners is associated with a 62 % faster rate of cognitive decline, equivalent to roughly 1.6 years of additional brain aging. The effect was strongest in people under 60 and in diabetics. Six of the seven sweeteners examined – including aspartame, saccharin and erythritol – were deemed problematic, while tagatose showed no adverse signal.
A separate investigation by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder reported that erythritol can impair the blood‑brain barrier. Laboratory experiments showed the sweetener reduces the production of the vasodilator nitric oxide, raises levels of the vasoconstrictor endothelin‑1, lowers the release of plasminogen activators and increases free‑radical formation. These changes may promote vascular narrowing and clot formation, potentially raising the risk of stroke. Both studies are observational; a direct causal relationship has not been proven.
Entities: Aspartame · Erythritol · Guangzhou Medical University · Neurology (journal) · Saccharin · UK Biobank · University of Colorado Boulder
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] People under 60 and diabetics showed a stronger association between sweetener intake and cognitive decline. (observational)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Erythritol reduces nitric oxide production and increases endothelin‑1 levels in endothelial cells. (laboratory study)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Six of seven studied sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin, erythritol, etc.) were deemed problematic; tagatose was not. (observational)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] An average intake of 191 mg of sweeteners per day corresponds to about 1.6 years of additional brain aging. (observational)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Erythritol lowers plasminogen activator release and raises free‑radical formation, potentially promoting vascular constriction and clot formation. (laboratory study)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The studies are observational; a direct causal link has not been established. (caveat)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Daily consumption of low‑calorie sweeteners is associated with a 62 % faster cognitive decline. (observational)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Erythritol impairs the function of the blood‑brain barrier. (laboratory study)