Could Your "Sugar-Free" Choices Be Impacting Your Brain Health?

Research from the University of Colorado Boulder is giving us insight on a common zero-calorie sweetener, erythritol, found in many "sugar-free" and "keto" products. And the findings are a wake-up call for anyone focused on optimizing their healthspan.

This in-depth lab study explored how erythritol may affect the brain's tiny blood vessels. Here's what they found:

• Increased Oxidative Stress: Erythritol significantly increased cell-damaging free radicals in brain microvascular endothelial cells.

• Impaired "Clot-Busting" Function: It reduced the production of a natural compound vital for preventing blood clots.

• Potential for Blood Vessel Constriction: The sweetener interfered with critical pathways (like nitric oxide and endothelin-1) that regulate blood vessel tone, which could contribute to constriction.

While this particular study was done in a lab setting, it provides mechanistic support for previous studies linking erythritol to an increased risk of serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, including stroke. It highlights that even FDA-approved, low-calorie options might have hidden costs to our long-term health.

This is critical for anyone aiming for optimal brain health and wellness.