Popular zero-calorie sweetener may raise the risk of heart attack

A popular no-calorie artificial sweetener that’s used in keto and other diets and some low-calorie foods may increase the likelihood of stroke, heart attack and even death, according to a new study by Cleveland Clinic researchers published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Erythritol increased the likelihood of blood clot formation in the research, which involved nearly 4,000 patients in the United States and Europe who were being evaluated for heart health. Those with higher levels of the sweetener in their blood had more clotting.

But the study authors also emphasized that each of those involved in the study was already undergoing voluntary cardiovascular disease risk evaluation at the time they were recruited for the study, suggesting a need for more research to see how well findings can be generalized to the population. The study also shows a link only, not causation.