Research Identifies Erythritol as Potential Risk to Brain's Protective Barrier
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder, has identified erythritol, a commonly used artificial sweetener, as a potential threat to the brain's protective blood-brain barrier. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, found that erythritol can damage brain endothelial cells, which are crucial for maintaining the barrier's integrity. These cells, when exposed to erythritol, produced less nitric oxide, leading to constricted blood vessels, and more endothelin-1, a protein that further narrows blood vessels. Additionally, the study observed a reduction in the release of tissue plasminogen activator, a compound that helps dissolve blood clots, and an increase in free radicals, which can damage tissues. These findings suggest that erythritol could increase the risk of strokes by impairing the normal function of endothelial cells. 
