What is the research on erythritol and health?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Erythritol is a popular sugar substitute found in many low-calorie and keto-friendly products. However, recent studies suggest that erythritol may be linked to serious heart and metabolic health concerns, including an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. While these findings raise important questions, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of erythritol consumption on cardiovascular and metabolic health.

If you've been consuming erythritol regularly and are experiencing symptoms like chest discomfort, unusual fatigue, dizziness, or heart palpitations, it's important not to ignore them. The fastest way to make sense of what you're feeling—and decide whether to see a doctor—is to take a free, instant, online symptom check. It only takes a few minutes, is completely private, and can help you understand possible causes and next steps with clarity and confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover if erythritol affects your health Learn likely causes of your symptoms See if symptoms need urgent care Find OTC options for possible side effects Find doctors for metabolic health concerns Discover home remedies for digestive discomfort Understand if erythritol warrants a symptom check

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Explanation

Erythritol is a sugar substitute often used in foods and drinks. Recent research has explored its potential health impacts.

Heart Health: One study suggests a possible link between erythritol and cardiovascular events, indicating that consuming erythritol might increase the risk for heart problems. However, this does not confirm a direct cause, and more research is needed to understand this relationship better.
Metabolic Health: Another study looks at erythritol as a potential factor in metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. The findings suggest that high levels of erythritol in the body may be associated with metabolic issues, but again, this is not definitive proof, and further studies are necessary.
Marker of Dysregulation: A third study discusses whether elevated erythritol levels are a sign of metabolic dysregulation or just a harmless marker. This means that while high erythritol levels might be seen in people with metabolic problems, it is unclear if erythritol itself causes these issues.

Overall, while there are concerns about erythritol's health effects, especially related to heart and metabolic health, more research is needed to draw firm conclusions. If you're experiencing unusual symptoms or have concerns about your heart or metabolic health, try our free AI symptom checker to help identify what might be going on.

(References)

Witkowski M, Nemet I, Alamri H, Wilcox J, Gupta N, Nimer N, et al. (2023). The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event .... Nature medicine, 36849732.
Khafagy R, Paterson AD, & Dash S. (2024). Erythritol as a Potential Causal Contributor to .... Diabetes, 37939167.
Mazi TA, & Stanhope KL. (2023). Elevated Erythritol: A Marker of Metabolic Dysregulation or .... Nutrients, 37764794.

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