Artificial Sweeteners: Are They Harmful to Your Health?

If you're using sugar substitutes to sweeten your tea or coffee, pay attention – this is the sweetener that might affect your health.

Dr. Maya Rozman mentioned on her radio show that erythritol is dangerous for you. Erythritol is an alcohol-based sweetener, similar to sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, and others found in nature, and they are mainly used in gums because they don't cause cavities. Recently, these sweeteners are also found in sugar substitutes intended for sweetening drinks or pastries.

Dr. Rozman explained that "erythritol is considered calorie-free because some of it is not absorbed by the body, and the part that is absorbed exits the body as it entered, without yielding energy. A study published this month found that people with high erythritol levels in their blood are at greater risk of heart attacks and increased blood clotting. The researchers recommended reevaluating and being cautious before promoting erythritol as a healthy and natural sweetener, as even natural substances can be harmful when consumed in amounts thousands of times greater than found in nature."

Dr. Rozman advised listeners to check if the sugar substitutes in their home contain erythritol. How? "It's clearly listed on the packaging. Every product is listed exactly as per the law, indicating its ingredients. So go check," she said.