Common sweetener in stevia and keto products linked to blood clotting risk, study says

Consuming a drink with erythritol, an artificial sweetener used in low-carb products, doubled the risk of blood clotting in a pilot study. Blood clots can cause heart attacks or strokes. Previous research has linked erythritol to a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and death. In the study, glucose did not affect blood platelet activity, unlike erythritol. The study’s findings raise concerns about the safety of erythritol-sweetened foods or beverages. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol found in many sugar-free products. It has 70% of the sweetness of sugar and is considered zero calorie.