Rising Worry Over Blood Clots Linked to Low-Calorie Sugar Substitutes
Revamped Scoop:
Hey buddy! It's all about sugar - the sweet stuff we consume way too much of!
Did you know that the average American adult gobbles up a whopping 77 grams of added sugar every day? That's about 18 and a half teaspoons, folks! And it's taking a toll on our health, contributing to up to 45 major health issues!
In a quest to keep the calories low, people often resort to sugar substitutes, like sugar alcohols. Erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol are all part of this group, found in small quantities naturally in fruits and veggies. But this doesn't make them entirely harmless.
Take erythritol, for instance. As we've discussed here before, research shows a link between erythritol and sticky blood that clots more easily. Now, it looks like erythritol isn't the only sugar alcohol hiding a potential danger...
Enter xylitol, the new kid on the block causing controversy. The same research team that found an association between erythritol and stroke risk uncovered a similar link with xylitol.
In a study of over 3,000 participants, those whose xylitol levels put them in the top 25 percent faced roughly double the risk for heart attack, stroke, or death over the following three years compared to those in the bottom 25 percent.
Researchers found that xylitol activates platelets in the blood, triggering blood clotting – the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. And that's not all! This increased xylitol level was most commonly found in individuals at high risk for or with documented heart disease.
As a word of caution, lead author Dr. Stanley Hazen shared, "We're throwing this stuff into our food pyramid, and the very people who are most likely to be consuming it are the ones who are most likely to be at risk."
Speaking of cardiovascular health, try opting for natural sweeteners instead of risky chemical substitutes. Instead of overloading your body with artificial ingredients, delight your taste buds with small amounts of sugar, honey, or fruit.
Remember, stevia, a plant-based sweetener, is your friend if it's pure! Some brands might dress it up with erythritol, so read labels carefully.
Stay informed, stay healthy!
- The link between certain sugar alcohols, such as erythritol and xylitol, and potential risks to brain health is a growing concern in science and health-and-wellness, as these sweeteners have been found to contribute to cardiovascular-health issues, like blood clotting, which is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
- To maintain overall health and wellness, and promote fitness-and-exercise performance, it's advisable to prioritize natural sources of sweetness, like sugar, honey, or fruit, rather than relying on chemical-based sugar substitutes that could pose medical-conditions related to cardiovascular-health.
- Nutrition plays a significant role in brain health, and making informed choices about the foods and sweeteners we consume can minimize the risk of health-and-wellness complications associated with the use of sugar alcohols like erythritol and xylitol.
