Zero calorie sweetener linked to blood clots and risk of heart disease, study finds

Consuming a drink with erythritol, an artificial sweetener used in low-carb products, has been found to double the risk of blood clotting, according to a pilot study. Clots can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Erythritol has been previously linked to a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and death. The study directly compared the effects of ingesting glucose versus erythritol and found that glucose did not impact clotting, while erythritol did. The study raises concerns about the safety of erythritol as a sweetener. Further research is needed to understand its potential health risks.