Is erythritol safe in 2025? A closer look at the nutritional diet debate

November 2, 2025 •

3 min read

Recent 2025 research has linked erythritol consumption to potential cardiovascular risks, challenging its long-held status as a benign sugar substitute. The question, is erythritol safe in 2025, now has consumers and health experts re-evaluating its place in a healthy nutritional diet and the products that contain it.

Quick Summary

Current studies cast doubt on erythritol's long-term safety, linking high consumption to cardiovascular risks, heightened oxidative stress, and increased blood clotting.

Key Points

Cardiovascular Risk: Recent studies have found an association between high blood levels of erythritol and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clot formation.
Brain Health: New 2025 cellular research indicates that erythritol can harm brain blood vessel cells by increasing oxidative stress and reducing nitric oxide, potentially raising stroke risk.
FDA Classification: Despite recent health concerns, the FDA still classifies erythritol as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS), but this does not account for the high levels found in many processed foods today.
Moderate Consumption: Digestive side effects like bloating and gas are still possible with high doses, but sensitivity to erythritol varies significantly among individuals.
WHO Cautions: The World Health Organization recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners for long-term weight management, highlighting the need for more research into their potential long-term risks.
Ingredient Awareness: Consumers should read labels carefully, as high quantities of erythritol are often used as a bulking agent in "sugar-free" and "keto" products, sometimes alongside other sweeteners.

Erythritol has long been used as a zero-calorie sweetener, favored in weight management, diabetes, and sugar reduction efforts. It is a sugar alcohol found naturally in some foods and provides sweetness without significant calories or blood sugar impact. However, recent studies, particularly from 2023 onwards, including new findings in 2024 and 2025, have raised significant concerns about its health effects.

The Shifting Safety Perspective in 2025

While regulatory bodies like the FDA still classify erythritol as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS), this designation is based on older data and doesn't require the rigorous long-term studies needed for new food additives. Many researchers argue this traditional view doesn't align with recent findings, especially regarding heart health.

Concerns Over Cardiovascular and Brain Health

A 2023 study by the Cleveland Clinic published in Nature Medicine highlighted a link between higher erythritol levels and an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events like heart attack and stroke. Laboratory and animal studies indicated that erythritol boosts platelet reactivity, which can lead to blood clots. A 2024 study in healthy volunteers further supported these findings, showing that consuming an erythritol-sweetened drink significantly increased blood erythritol levels and the potential for blood clotting for several days.

Additionally, research presented at the 2025 American Physiology Summit suggested erythritol could negatively impact blood vessel health in the brain. Scientists found that erythritol increased oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide in brain blood vessel cells, potentially affecting blood flow and increasing stroke risk.

Regulatory Status Versus Evolving Science

The FDA's GRAS status for erythritol is being questioned by the scientific community due to the high quantities used in processed "sugar-free" or "keto-friendly" products, far exceeding natural levels. The GRAS system doesn't require safety proof for these high consumption levels.

Industry's View: The Calorie Control Council has disputed these findings, arguing the studies used high erythritol amounts and involved participants already at risk for cardiovascular issues.
WHO's Perspective: In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised against using non-sugar sweeteners like erythritol for long-term weight management, noting insufficient evidence of benefit and potential long-term risks.

Gastrointestinal Effects and Other Considerations

High doses of erythritol can cause gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, and stomach upset, as a small amount is fermented by gut bacteria. While generally better tolerated than other sugar alcohols like xylitol, individual reactions vary.

Comparing Erythritol with Other Sweeteners

Choosing sweeteners for a nutritional diet involves understanding their differences. Recent erythritol concerns underscore that not all sugar alternatives are equally safe.


Feature	Erythritol	Table Sugar (Sucrose)	Stevia (Purified Extract)	Xylitol
Calories	~0.2 kcal/g	4 kcal/g	0 kcal/g	2.4 kcal/g
Glycemic Impact	0 (No spike)	High	0 (No spike)	Low
Taste Profile	70% as sweet as sugar; no aftertaste.	Standard sweet taste.	200–400x sweeter than sugar; may have a bitter aftertaste.	As sweet as sugar; minty taste.
Digestive Issues	Low likelihood unless consumed in large amounts.	Minimal.	Rare side effects unless combined with sugar alcohols.	High chance of digestive upset in large doses.
Current Safety Concerns	Cardiovascular risk (clotting, stroke) at high levels.	Weight gain, dental decay, metabolic issues.	Considered safe by FDA (purified extracts).	Emerging cardiovascular risk concerns.

Making an Informed Choice: A Conclusion

Recent studies linking high erythritol intake to increased cardiovascular and brain health risks have changed the perspective on its safety in 2025. While potentially useful in moderation for managing blood sugar, the growing evidence suggests caution.

Consumers should examine ingredient lists, particularly for "keto-friendly" or "sugar-free" products that use large amounts of erythritol as a bulking agent. Individuals with existing heart conditions or risk factors should consider limiting or avoiding high erythritol intake until more research is available. Opting for natural sweetness from fruits or choosing sweeteners like purified stevia extract or monk fruit may be safer alternatives.

A healthy nutritional diet emphasizes moderation and careful consideration of all ingredients. Staying informed and consulting a healthcare provider are vital for making the best dietary decisions.

For additional information, the World Health Organization guideline on non-sugar sweeteners is a useful resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concerns have intensified following several recent studies, including those from the Cleveland Clinic (2023/2024) and University of Colorado Boulder (2025), linking high erythritol levels in the blood to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and heightened platelet activity leading to blood clots.

No, erythritol is not banned. It maintains its status as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) by the FDA, a classification that predates the most recent concerning research. However, some researchers and organizations like the WHO have raised concerns about its potential long-term risks and recommend caution.

There is no consensus on a specific "unsafe" daily intake level. Studies showing increased risks have involved quantities found in a single standard-sized serving of a sweetened beverage or processed food, which significantly raised blood levels well above the natural baseline. The risk may depend on individual health factors, such as pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

Erythritol is still widely used in products for these diets because it does not affect blood sugar or insulin levels. However, those with pre-existing heart disease or other cardiovascular risk factors, which are often comorbid with diabetes and obesity, should consult their doctor and consider limiting intake, especially of high-dose products.

Apart from the newer cardiovascular concerns, erythritol is known to cause gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, cramps, and diarrhea, particularly when consumed in large amounts. Sensitivity varies by individual.

The small amount of erythritol found naturally in fruits is significantly lower than the large quantities manufactured for use in processed foods and powdered sweeteners. The higher, concentrated doses are where the recent safety concerns have arisen, suggesting natural consumption is less of a risk.

Purified stevia extracts and monk fruit extract are considered safer non-caloric sweeteners, as they do not appear to have the same adverse effects on oxidative stress or blood vessels at typical consumption levels. Reducing overall reliance on sweeteners and focusing on whole foods is generally considered the healthiest approach.